Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1881-01-22
Alexandria Gazette and Virginia, Advertiser
Jefferson DGTis.

F,r The frs: iime sinee-nGarly tifloca years
aso-ho walked, tloo man, out Of Fedora
prism, Mr Jefferson Davis, first and last Press
daut Of tic lato Southern Conicderacy, is abou
t. become tho certrc of discussion.
|: must not b. supposed that Mf. Davis ha:
been idls or Inactive darios lis retirement
For moro than ten years 10 has devoted him
! sell to the collection OF material for writing hi!
History OF the Confederate government.
Alter Mr.. Davis bad epont years 10 the col
leolon Of material for his work be felt the
| necessity OF some quiet place 10 which he could
| concoltEaie oil his scattered papers and obtain
! tho sec'usioo necessary for his great task
This was quickly offered by Mis- Sarah Dorsey,
| who bad always bco1 devoted Confederate
| and On especial frierd and admirer Of Mr.
Davis. Sho was then living at Bsauvoir, O
country scat OF considerable preterscns, abeu
two hours ride out of New Orleans. While
she was not OF blood kin to Mr.. DIvis, the rea.
tiots between his family and hers had always
been clcso, aud thero had been somo iutermsr.
risgos. blr. Davis accepted her invitation, and
was soon settled at Beauvior, whore his papers
shortly followed tiu.
Mr.. Davis writes great DIAL himself, but
| occasionally dictstcs-slwsys 70 long handed
writor. Major W. 4. Wsllhall began with
him az secretary, but JudgH Tenney, editor oil
"Appleion's Encyclopedia" AID General Joe
Davis, his nephew, have been with him for the
past yOsr Tho room adjoining tho library is q
simply furnished room, 10 which there is a
cuogc. OIL which Mr.. Davis takes en- occasional
nap. Ito is vcry regular and systematic, giving
about FIX hours day t. nc:ull work.
| lilo is careful - tho extreme about all
that DO writes, tn. neVor changes tho proofs
Wbeo they arc sent back to him, writing
10 tho first plaea with decisiou AID &C.
ouracy. lie Dresses plainly, his usual costume
being datk trousers and long, modest Colored
dressing gown. lilo takes great deal of exer
else. tho climate boing 81 mild that he can walk
on tho beach under tho orange trees, or any
where about tho rlsca. in bis dressing gowa al
most any moth in the ycar-sxoapt for the
last le7 rlouths OF excessively cid weather
Tho gift OF BaauVior has made him easy as tc
worldly atfsirs. and ho has had for years moth
ing to tsko bis attention from his woik.
L. is Impossible to over estimate tho oagerness
With which the lortf coming book is looked fol
throughout tho South. Tho two most impor
tant points Of tho wolk-lor, after all, tho con'
stitu!iousl argument, which will doubtless be
| A1SS oSoauo LEO oeJuoiVala HileE CcTlhlu ule
morniog at Apponattox- be tho discussion
OF the peaco movements ard the detenco of the
policy Of tho Dsvis administration IS opposed
10 tho Stepcos, Brown and Toombs policy. The
first vastly the most important point History
is gradually Oottiug upon tho head Of MIR.
Davis tho burden of a war protrec:cd long attci
be WAS assured that SUCCESS WAS impossible.
| 1t is said that Gen. LEO assured Mr. Davis
long booro the ooIclusion OF the war that incv.
i!ablo fai u:e awaited tho Confederate arms. 1t
is even said that prior to tho i.st visit of Mr..
Blair TO MIR. Davis that General Leo had demon
strattd to him the improbabilily of src,ees, ADD
that The interview between Mr. Davis and Mr..
Blair will show this Mr. Davis sent out his
commissioners. however, Instructed TO listen to
nothing tus the full recognition of tho indcpeu
dencc Of tho Confederate government The
C uu.ry, North and South, will look With icter.
cat to sec how MIR. Dovis can clear himself ci
the suspicion that no PROLONGED for mouths q
struggle that WAS knowo to b. hopeless. The
work will be aggressive in toIe.