Stanton tells some curious matters of Jeff Davis, derived
from Davis's servant, who escaped from Richmond. The servant was a slave, born
on Davis's plantation. Mrs. Davis struck him three times in the face, and took
him by the hair to beat his head against the wall. At night the slave fled and
after some difficulty got within our lines. He is, Stanton says, very
intelligent for a slave and gives an interesting inside view of Rebel trials
and suffering. It should be taken, perhaps, with some allowance.
The court of inquiry in relation to the publication of the
letter of Commodore Wilkes has been brought to a close. Although not as
explicit and positive as it might have been, there is, and could be, no other
conclusion than his guilt. When brought before the court and advised of the
testimony, which showed the letter was in the hands of the newspaper folks
twenty-four hours before it reached the Department, he declined to make any
statement. I do not see how a court martial can be avoided. He is insubordinate,
evasive, and untruthful; reckless of others' rights, ambitious, and intensely
avaricious.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 515
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