, 1861-06-19
Seizure of the Telesraphfc DISPATCHES
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IA Disclosure.
The Richmond Examiner, referring to the
seizure Of all the telegraphlc messages in the
North for the Last twelve months, makes the
revelation Of the way in which telersphic
operator in Washington City worked out the
schemes Of the Southern consplrsto7:
The grand place, the central point, where
THO reasonable, Southern, secession, rebellious
felegTaPhlc dispatches we're written, sent, aud
ton CITY Telegraph 6dlcess 6dls' II There re- was "a % WoFk
enough done there last winter to have hung
any quantity Of rebels now figuring in the
Confederate Armies and Congress, prepared
now to do little hanging Of their own when
occasion shall justify Of Yankee deserve it.
From Washington, accounts we're sent giv-
iIg early information Of all the hostile steps of
the Buchanan and Lincoln Governments, Of
their projects OF invasion, reinforcement, SUD.
pnee. trtckery, frsud, and rascallty of every
description. Our friends used the telegraph
10 some som purpose. The did not spare money,
OF or time, Or trouble. They kept the authori.
itiea and the people Of tie South constantly
On the alert. They advised hostile steps when
ever these steps were needed to protect our
people. They counseled prudence aud delay,
when to act might have Jeoparded greaf
cause. easst They took responsibility freely and
emy's camp with hnlters around their necks,
When It became necessary for the South
Carolina Commissioners to send their first dis
patch announcing the perldy Of Buchanan
and Holt, his intention to reinforce Fort Sum.
ter, and their advice to their State to resist It
by force,a q messenger came to this city to send
It with certainty and secrecy. This WIS done
about the first of January. But soon AFTER 1t
Was found that one man In the Washington Of
ffce who could be trusted implicitly By our
people, and we are glad to record that It was
Young Vilginian, William Colwell BY name.
This young man, by private arrangement, re-
ceived the Southern dispatches, sent them
himself n and fled them away In private safe.
no one saw them but himself and the parties
70 whom they were addressed. All through
January, February, March, and part Of April, |
this gentleman acted for our friends. Through
MN tho dispatches Wero sent, giving the
movements Of the Star Of the Wesf, and aIso
dispatches revealing the real object aud deatt-
nation Of the expedition to relieve Fort Sum.
ter~-so carefully sought to bo concealed by
the enemy.
NJ. Colwell one day In April got word pri.
Fately that the Black Republicans were com
ing to sefze the office. He quietly took all |
treasonable dispatches and burnt them. They
have thus resolved themselves in their orfgi- |
mi elements Divine Power eau alone restore
the character and eigus by which the secession.
lists at Washington fought the enemy. incurred
treason, dehed the halter, and saved the coun- |
try. The dispatches being burnt. Colwell re-
NAMED at his post with philosophical com
posure. Next night the YANKEES troops came
into the office with muskets and bayonet, and |
he politely informed trat ha surrendered al |
discretion, and that all he had In the tele-
graphic dispatch line WAS at their disposition.