Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-09-18
THE ESCAPE OF GEORGE SAUNDERS,
THE REBEL BMISSARY.

THE ESCAPE OF GEORGE SAUNDERS,
THE REBEL EMISSARY.
Correspondence of the New York Evening Post.l
NIAGARA FALLS, Aug. 20, 1862. Some days
SINCE a man dressed in well-worn working
clothes presented himself to the United States
provost marshal, on the United States side OF
suspension bridge. He wore a pair of very
short trousers of striped Kentucky jean, and a
seedy coat of the same material. A coarse,
not over-cean shirt, and jagged straw hat
completed the costume. The man had no col
lar or cravat and his face was apparently greatly
tanned by exposure to the weather. He wanted
to go over the river, he said but had no pass
and did not know that any would be needed.
He stated that he was an Englishman from
Cornwall and miner by trade. He had been
working for some time in Pennsy yania, but
had lately received letter from his brother,
farmer, near London, Canada West, stating
that he was short of help, and urging his miner
relative to come on to his assistance, at least
till the harvest time was over.
The miner held his tools in one hand and in
the other carried an old carpet bag of the black
glazed style in common use. The glazing in
many places had come off, and the outside was
moreover spotted and soiled with dirt. The
carpet bag was more valuable than the famous
one of John Brown; for it contained the pa
pers, dispatches and money of the rebel ennis
sary Sanders. The marshal pondered awhile,
but the poor miner gave such consistent story,
and seemed so disappointed at his unexpected
trouble in crossing, that the officials heart was
melted and he gave him the required pass
The tolmon Of the suspension bridge then
demanded a quarter of dollar toll. "Two
shillings," said the miner; "why, l can't give
it. I've only got one shilling" This plea of
poverty completely disarmed whatever shadow
of suspicion may have existed in regard TO the
poor workman after the proper degree of
hesitation, the "felow" was allowed to pass
over at half price. Thanking the tollkeeper
for his liberality, the miner walked on YEARLY
across the bridge AS he neared the Canada
side his step became lighter-just as Christian
(pardon comparson) felt when the burden
dropped off his back A decided burden had
dropped off of George n. Sanders mind-he
was safe in Canada.
Arriving mt the Canada side of the bridge
the miner, with his tools and carpet bag jump
ed into the Clifton House omnibus and was
quickly driven to that famous hotel. He went
to the desk and registered on the book the in
itials S. N. CHS own initials reversed. The
clerk looked at the shabby working man mo.
ment, and then colby said Ave can't give a
room here, sir" "But must have a room,
said Saunders. "None to spare tonight" re-
piled the clerk. The minor thrust his hands il
his pocket and drew forth great roll of "greer
backs" "IIere," said he to the clerk, stake
these as security. Put them in your safe ; but
give me a room at once"
Of course money has its effects in Cliftor
House, as everywhere else. Still the clerk hes
itated sis there any place about here where
can get respectable suit of clothesP" asked
the miner. dropping his Cornish dialect
There was no place nearer than the bridge, i
ma distant. So the miner again insisted or
having the room and as it was obvious that
"things were not as they seem" he was shown
to a suitable apartment
A few moments aiterward guest strolled
out on the piazza, where ex-governor Morehead
of Kentucky was sitting. "By the way, gov.
ernor," said he, "what a singular old fellow
that was in the Office He registered his name
on the book only in initials"
GOOD eGod in initials" cried Morehead
starting up, "he's come then !" and rushing
past the astonished guest, he demanded to be
shown to the room of the mysterious.
Other secessionsts also fastened thither
Sanders was provided with a suit of clothes al
once, the clerks and servants altered their de
pertinent to quandam miner, and the guest.
had rare piece of gossip to talk about. San,
ders is.by this time half way across the ocean
and whatever is thought of him and his cause
it is generally acknowledged that his iourne,
from Richmond to Canada is one of the Gent
est specimens of rebel STRATEGY" the war ha,
produced 1t shows that our blockade is S,
stringent that rebel emissary prefers Ion,
land journey in disguise to attempting to breal
il.
Of course the adventure has been the chic
topic of gossip in the Niagara hotels; the mi
ners will henceforth be viewd with very pro
found suspicion in the neghborhood Of tn
suspension beidge.