But he insisted that the officers and men of the Confederate army were unnecessarily alarmed about this matter, as a sort of bugbear.

He then said that Mr.Breckenridge was near at hand, and he thought that it would be well for him to be present.

I objected, on the score that he was then in Davis's cabinet, and our negotiations should be confined strictly to belligerents.

He then said Breckenridge was a major-general in the Confederate army, and might sink his character of Secretary of War.

I consented, and he sent one of his staff-officers back, who soon returned with Breckenridge, and he entered the room.