The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-12
JEFFERSON DAVIS'S SIDE.
woLsELEY's PAPER IN THE NORTH
AMERICAN ANSWERED.
The Old Man Has Lost None OF His
Power OF Expressing Himself and Say
ing What He Means-A Strong State
ment.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, May 1.-THE Amer
lean tomorrow will publish the following
letter from Jefferson Davis. The letter
was written in reply to a request made Of
Mr.. Davis by +. w. Carmack, editor Of
the american, for statement in reply to
Gen. Wolseley's article, in the North
American Reriew for May, criticising Mr.
Davis's course as President OF the Confed-
eeracy. The letter OF Mr.. Davis is as fol-
lows:
BEAuvoIR, Miss, May s, 1889.
Mr.. T.. w. Carmack: My Dear Sir
Your kind letter and tho copy of the North
American Rerielo OF this month, forwarded
by you, have both been received. / COM
ply with your request for q notice of the
article by Gen. Wolseley, which is con-
tanned In that iierieD. Surprising that you
have only desired reply TO the passages
especially directed against myself, IL will
be so limited. A year or so since, that
same writer published an article contain
ing matter purporting to have been
X Il. Lee, while his guest during
the war between the States OF the American
Union. Those personally acquainted with
discretion, his strict regard for official
courtesy, and the personal friendship and
confidential relations which had long ex-
listed between him and President Davis, it
was incredible that he should have seized
the opportunity offered by the arrival Of
an itinerant foreigner to make such state
ments as would afford material for the
cynical criticisms OF the article referred to
ON. h.. I,,., ,,ta ~ ka e..
For the manifested hostility to me |
could imagine no cause unless an egreg-
ious vanity had been wounded by my
failure TO notice his presence in our coun-
try, presence which IL is most probable
was 10 mo unknown.
My reply then made TO his article ex-
posed his historical errors, his baseless
iictions and acknowledged that ] had pre-
viously known nothing Of him, save
through his large promises and small per-
formances on a memorable occasion.
In the article 10 which you call my at
tention, the Acknowledgement of the En-
glish army, Viscount Wolseley, with in
creased venom, renews his attack upon me
and opens IL with the mean cover OF a
hypocritical pretension OF sympathy. His
arrogance, heretofore exhibited, was so
provoke contempt, while II suggested the
inquiry put TO one OF old, whether he
thought knowledge would die with him.
Now, having learned that facts are neces-
sary TO sustain allegations, he follows his
deprcciatory remarks concerning me by
libellous statements.
Where, when and how did ever ex-
press the opinion, that 10000 Enfield
~ L.. IL.
acy? Where, when and how did then
refuse 10 receive 1896, 900 men" offered for
the Confederate service? When, where
and how was ''the East Indian feet" ever
offered 10 me? What means were rejected
by me when proposed by Others for plac-
ing the finances OF the Coniederacy on n
sound basis7
These are the specifications OF his ar
raignment, where are the proois2 lie
expresses regret that no answer was pub
lished In the century 10 20 forth with the
indictments against me; but was he re-
stricted TO rehash Of the articles there
published, and to the views evolved from
his internal consciousness?
Why, II we wished 10 know the truth
and 10 tell II. did he not consult more
authentic sources OF nformation-such as
Auuilfhl NtInulfa htlnOIlth OF SefNlcet
Ahoas" or "Secret Service Of the Con-
icdemto States In Europe" by Capt
James ID. Bullock. the naval representa-
tive Of the Confederate States In Europe,
or the "llistory Of the Confederate States
Navy" by J. 4. Scharpe, G. s. A., or the
report Of Mai. Caleb nuse, charged with
the purchase and shipment OF ordnance
aud ordnance stores, or Of Gen. J. Gorgas,
chief Of Ordnance Department, or the re-
ports Of the Treasury. War and Navy De-
partmenis OF the Confectionery or the signal
repetition by Secretaries Memminger aud
Trenholm, Of the silly reflection made
after the war upon the Confederate Gov
eminent for not having sent out the cot
ton crop Of 1892 rs a basis OF public
credit
In these aud elsewhere, except In tho
writings Of sectional enemies, or our DIS.
appointed candidates for Executive favor,
Is 10 be found concurrent evidence OF the
prompt and energetic efforts 10 secure
large importations OF arms and munitions,
aud nj the same time, by the grossly mis-.
represented policy Of enrolling only men
who could bcarmed 10 draw from the large
amount Of private arms In the country,
the weapons 10 supplement our deficiency
when the Coniedcracy was organized
Respectfully and truly,
JEFrERsoN DAVIS.