The Daily Gazette

A Southern War Secret Revealed.

As has already been announced, Hon. A. H. H. Stuart and J. N. Ople, of Augusta county, Va., are rival candidates for the Legislature of that State, and made speeches at a political meeting held in Staunton on Monday last. A correspondent of the Richmond Dispatch says that among some personal reminiscences related by Mr. Stuart in his speech was one connected with the peace negotiations of the late Confederacy that has never been made public. He read a note from Hon. Judah P. Benjamin, dated March 25, 1864. asking him to come to Richmond for an interview with President Davis on business, the subject of which was too important to be committed to paper. He went, and was informed by President Davis that the Confederate Congress had voted a secret service of $3,000,000 in gold, to be used in creating a peace sentiment at the North.-- After looking over the whole country the "President" had selected Mr. Stuart as the man for the mission. He was to sail for Nassau and thence for Halifax, and there, from the border of Canada could operate on prominent men. The fund of $3.000,000 was to be at his absolute disposal, and he was not to be required to furnish vouchers for its disbursement. Mr. Stuart declined the tender, and C. C. Clay, of Alabama, and two other gentlemen were appointed. The Greeley correspondence and the "To whom it may concern" of President Lincoln followed this mission.