The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-05-26
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BY SIR ARTHUR JAMES LYON-FREMANTLE.
Kc.M G. G. B.. now Lieuten General British Army.

Mr.. Benjamin walked with me to the
Presidents dwelling, which is pri-
vate house at the other end OF the town.
had tea there, and uncommonly good tea,
too, the first / had tasted in the Con-
federacy. Mrs. Davis was, unfortunately,
unwell and unable to see me.
Mr.. Jefferson Davis struck me as looking
older than / expected. He is only St, but
his face is emaciated and much wrlnkien
He is nearly six feet high, but is extremely
thin, and Stops little.
He conversed with me for long time,
and agreed with BENJAMIN that the Yam
KEGS did not really intend to go to war with
England if she recognized the South; ana
he said that, when the inevitable smash
came-and that separation was an &C.
complished fact-the State of Maine would
{ probably try to join Canada, as most OF the
intelligent people in that State have
horror of being under the thumb of Massa-
chusetts." He added that Maine was IN
| habited by a hardy, thrifty, seafaring
| population, with different ideas to the
people in the other New England States.
He confirmed the truth of my remarks
| that a Confederate General is either con-
sidered an Admirable Crichton by the sol
diers, or else abused as everything bad;
/ and he added, the misfortune was that 1t
| is absolutely necessary, in order to insure
| success, that General must obtain and
preserve this popularity and influence with
| his men, who were, however, generally
| very willing to accord their confidence to
| any officer deserving OF it.
He told me that Lord Russell confessed
| that the impartial carrying out OF the
| neutrality laws had pressed hard upon the
South; and Mr.. Davis asserted that the
pressure might have been eGualized, and
yet retained it's impartiality, If Great
Britain, instead of closing her ports, had
opened them to the prizes of both parties.
But answered that perhaps this might be
To-, 10 an no ut
Before we reached the SpottswoOd Hotel,
we met gentleman, to whom Mr.. Benjamin
introduced me. They discussed the great
topic of the day-the recapture OF VIM
chester by Gen. Ewell, the news OF which
had lust arrived, and they both expressed
their regret that Gen. Milroy should have
escaped 1t appears that this Yankee
commander, for his alleged crimes, had
been put hors de la loi by the ConfederateS
in the same manner as Gen. Butler. -
said to me, Owe hope he may not be taken
alive; but if he is, we will not shrink from
the responsibility of putting him to DEATH"
June 18.-l called by appointment on Mr.
Sedden, the Secretary of War. His ante
room was crowded with applicants for an
interview, and had no slight difficulty in
getting in. Mr. Sedden is cadavcrous but
clever looking man; he received me with
great kindness, and Immediately furnished
me with letters of introduction for Cen
erals Lee and Longstreet.
My friend Maj Norris then took me to
the Presidents office and introduced me
to the Aids de- Camp of the President-viz,
Coils. Wood, Lee, and Johnston. The two
latter are sons to Gen. Lee and Gen. Albert
Sidney Johnston, who was killed at Shiloh.
Mai. Norris then took me to the Capitol,
and introduced me to Mr.. Thompson, the
Librarian, and to Mr.. Meyers, who is now
supposed to look after British interests
since the abrupt departure of Mr.. Moore,
the Consul. was told that Mr.. Moore had
always been considered good friend to
the Southern cause, and had got into the
mess which caused his removal entirely
by his want of tact and discretion.
There is a fine view from the top of the
Capitol; the Librarian told me that last
year the fighting before Richmond could
easily be seen from thence, and that many
ladies used to go up for that purpose.
Everyone said that, Notwithstanding the
imminence of the danger, the population
of Richmond continued their daily avoca-
tons, and that no alarm was felt as to the
result.
The interior of the Capitol is decorated
with numerous flags captured from the
enemy. They are very gorgeous, all silk
and gold, and form a great contrast to the