It Knowing these things, and also knowing that no definite and accurate detailed account of them, which is easily accessible to

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"Knowing these things, and also knowing that no definite and accurate detailed account of them, which is easily accessible to the public, has ever been prepared, and wishing to preserve for the benefit of posterity as well as of ourselves the actual facts, I have taken some pains to secure a recital of them at first hand from one who was intimately associated with Jefferson Davis and his cabinet during these closing scenes, which heralded and marked the fall of the Confederate government, and who is undoubtedly the best qualified living person to recount them. Any statement made by this person would require no corroborative proof, which, however, is not lacking, to substantiate it.

"So, with his cabinet, and attended by his staff, President Davis left at once for Danville. This was on the second of April.

Upon arriving at Danville the Presidential party was met at the depot, taken to his -residence, and entertained by Major W. T. Sutherlin, a wealthy and prominent citizen, who held the offices of commissionary and commandant at this place, and who had been a member of the Secession Convention of Virginia. Here also were the cabinet meetings held, the proclamation issured, and orders transmitted. During this time the Sutherlin mansion constituted de facto the capital of the Confederate States. A house on Wilson street was obtained by the government for the use of the President's staff and the offices of the various departments and there all routine government business was transacted.

"The last full cabinet meeting which was ever held by the President met with him in one of the sitting rooms of the Sutherlin mansion. All of the members of the cabinet attended this meeting except the Secretary of War, General J. C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky. There were present: Judah P. Benjamin, Secretary of State; Trenholm, Secretary of Treasury; S. R. Mallory, Secretary of the Navy; Davis, the Attorney General; J. H. Reagan, Postmaster-General, and Mr. Memminger, former Secretary of the Treasury; also Mr. Harrison, the President's private secretary.

"The surrender of Lee's army on April ninth made the fall of the civil branch of the Confederate government inevitable.

"The last proclamation of President Davis of the Confederate States, is not often seen. (it was published in its entirety in the essay). The table on which this proclamation was written is now in the possession of Mrs. W. T. Southerlin, relict of Major Southerlin. It is of unusual design, with curved legs, being made of heavy mahogany. It has upon it a beautiful slab about two and one half feet by five in size of mottled Egyptian marble. This table, I was informed, has been repeatedly sought

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