A Man of the People Part 43

Judge Ould, the Commissioner of Exchange----

[OULD _enters._]

OULD

Our visitors are outside, Mr. Benjamin.

BENJAMIN

You understand, Judge Ould, that these men are prisoners of war in your charge as Exchange Commissioner?

OULD

I am painfully aware of that fact, sir--and the responsibility is not to my liking.

BENJAMIN

While in Richmond, they are to be held under the strictest guard and on no conditions allowed a liberty except by my order, or the order of the President.

OULD

I can trust them here with you, I hope, for half an hour?

BENJAMIN

You can. Show them in.

[VAUGHAN _takes his seat at the small table near_ BENJAMIN _who gives him a note book and he prepares to take notes._ OULD _reenters conducting_ JACQUESS _and_ GILMORE.]

OULD

Colonel James F. Jacquess and Mr. John R. Gilmore,--Mr. Secretary of State----

[OULD _bows and exits, while_ BENJAMIN _advances with marked cordiality to greet his visitors. He does not shake hands but bows politely._]

BENJAMIN

I am delighted to see you, gentlemen--pray be seated.

[_The two men sit and_ GILMORE _shoots at_ VAUGHAN _a look of startled recognition which_ VAUGHAN _fails to return._]

You bring overtures from your Government I trust.

JACQUESS

No, sir, we bring no overtures----

GILMORE

We have no authority from our Government.

JACQUESS

We have come simply as private citizens to know what terms will be acceptable to Mr. Davis for ending the war?

BENJAMIN

You are acquainted with Mr. Lincoln's views, however?

JACQUESS

One of us is fully----

BENJAMIN

I supposed so. May I ask, did Mr. Lincoln in any way authorize you to come here?

GILMORE

No, sir. We came on his pa.s.s through the lines, of course, but not by his request.

JACQUESS

We came, Mr. Benjamin, simply as men and Christians, not as diplomats, hoping in a frank talk with Mr. Davis to discover some way by which this war may be stopped.

BENJAMIN

On my advice, gentlemen, Mr. Davis will see you----

JAQUESS AND GILMORE

Thank you----

BENJAMIN

I think he is here now----

[BENJAMIN _exits._]

GILMORE

[_In low tones to_ VAUGHAN.]

What are you doing here?

VAUGHAN

Writing! I don't know you----