Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-03-15

by virtue Of his Craftsmanship of the Senate
committee on Military Affairs, possessed great
power, and thorough acquaintance with all
the military men and defenses Of the country.
With an impudence which. from its daring,
loses much Of its baseness, the head quarters
of the insurgents were transferred to West
Point at which Mr.. Davis spent the summer
months as chairman Of committee Of exam
ination Of this post In pursuance Of the pro-
grammo laid down, Mr. Floyd commenced
the transfer Of arms and munitions from North
to South, which were placed in exposed posi-
tions where they could be readily seized
The forts were purposoy left ungarrisoned,
defenseess. TO supply such means as the
official relations of Mr.. Floyd did not allow
him to steal, he commenced the issue, on
vast scale, Of his acceptanoes, nominally to
contractors for transporting of government
stores, which, being supposed to be oblga-
lions of government were eagerly purchased
in the northern states, whore capital was a
bundant. In this way the military chest of
the new ooniederacy was to be, and has been,
TO a considerable extent. supplied.
An equally important step thorough
manipulation of the Army, the officers Of
which were so disposed, that in all cases where
it was possible, confederates and tools of the
secessionists were placed at points where they
could readily Join them, and at the appointed
signal deliver over the forts and magazines in
their charge. Such officers as were known to
be loyal we're carefully withdrawn from the
place to be seized. To others in the secret,
furoughs were given, which have been spent
in the southern states in drilling bands of in
surgents, or in visits to Europe to purchase
arms, the first shipment of which, in rFed
cannon, has just been received at Charleston.
Near the close of the session Mr. Davis sue
cccded in getting bill through Congress,
forbidding the Secretary Of War to purchase
patented arms, the object being to leave gov
eminent without a supply of the most approx
ed weapons. To Mr. Cobb was assigned the role
of destroying the means of supporting govern
ment, by breaking down its credit, and leav-
ing it powerless when the outbreak should
occur. Mr.. Thompson's duties were various.
He was to manipulate the members of the
/ new confederacy aud leave the property in his
department, where it could be stolen by his
old associates and friends The whole line
/ Of southern ports was left in such a condition
as would allow them to fall an easy prey to
the conspirators. The President, for long
time, was the coadiutor of all their measures,
Of which Floyd and the South Carolina com
mission have furnished abundant proof
The scheme of the secessionsts succeeded
almost to the extent Of their aims. The cleo
ton of Lincoln brought matters to crisis.
All the important forts in the southern states,
with the exception Of Fort Monroe in Virginia,
/ Fort Sumter at Charleston, Fort Pickens at
Pensacola, Key West and Tortugas, were
seized and are now in their hands. All the
magazines Of arms and munitions outside these
I forts, have been also seized. These were ju-
diciously placed by Floyd far inland at such
places as Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Au-
/ gusta, Georga-thus supplying ample means
/ for placing army of 10000 men in the field.
These very arms, stolen by Mr.. Floyd, are
now going into the hands of the new regiments
which are being organized in the southern
states Mississippi has just authorized the
! formation we believe, of eight; Georgia and
/ other states of several each. These arms, on
! ly few months ago, were in northern armor-
les, where they now belong. While we at
the North like honest but very stupid peo-
pie, foolishly supposed everything to tie going
/ on fairly and above-board, the most stupen-
! dous conspiracy the world has ever seen has
been enacted under our own noses, while we
have been hugging to our breasts its very
chiefs. The sacred spot of West Point has
again been the scene Of plot, compared with
which that attempted by Benedict Arnold
sinks into nsgnifcance. The value Of arms
and munitions of war stolen by Mr.. Floyd
together with money raised upon his iraudu-
lent acccptances, which by mastery stroke
of policy, were sold North, amounts to many
millions of dollars. Adding the cost Of the
forts surrendered, the whole amount of which
our government has been despoiled by this
stupendous conspiracy, must equal 81 1000,
900.
What is the method and plan of all these
robberies and seizures? Defense first, if ne
cessary and aggressons afterwards - no
North but against Mexico and the West In
dies. As for secession, that long ago was
foregone conclusion. As soon as the south
ern army now forming is relieved from tn
fear of coercion from the North, it is to b.
launched against Mexico. Southern imagina
ton is fired at the prospect of revelling il
I the - Halls of the Montezumas The un
easy and restless spirits that will comprise it
army will brook no delay. OF this new fora,
Mr. jefferson Davis is to take the lead. Tn
movers of it count, and not without reason
upon the effect of a brilliant dash upon tn
restless temper of large population tina
crowd our northern cities who would flock i
crowds to the standard of a successful militia
ry leader. 1t is well known that numbe
of retired officers and military men now i
New York. stand ready to join the new ex
, petition at the first tap of the drum. Sue
is the inclination among the masses North t
peace, it is felt no interference would be ex
perenced from that quarter, should the expe
! dition make successful landing with an i'm
, posing force.
Such is the programme Of the Gulf states
of which the northern are soon to be tn
E spectators, if not directly involved; and sue
is the scheme to which the quiet and peace
loving capitalists of the South are to be yoked
1t remains to be seen whether they have tn
courage or strength to attempt any resistance
If not, who is to oppose any! VIII the north
win England At the South, movement
toward the tropics is felt to be necessity
i More room for the slave, black republi
= bordering the Gulf, instead of a white one
! is inevitable. The law of population wi
: soon bring this round, without an outlet 70
: the redundant population of negroes, increas
ing in much greater ratio than the whites
The southern people feel the coils of the ana
= conda about their necks, hence the intens
restlessness they display; hence secessio
-