The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-11-21
THE GATE CITY.

We have received information which
appears authentic, but which seems
scarcely credible, of a daring, gigantic,
and dangerous rebel scheme, which has
just been discovered BY the Government,
and which, for its apparent feasibility,
and the state of forwardness to which It
is said to have attained, may well cause
the utmost apprehension and alarm In
Detroit aud throughout Michigan. The
scheme is worthy the ingenuity and au-
dacity OF the rebel leaders, and ii 1t is not
fully successful, it will be In consequence
of the vigilance of the officers Of the Gov
eminent, assisted by the detectives whom
they have employed in ferreting out and
bringing it to light. The scheme COM
prehends no less than the seizure of De-
iroit and its occupation during the winter,
and the organization Of a rebel army to
take the field in the spring as an active
invading force against Michigan, Ohio
and Indiana. The public may feel very
natural curiosity to know how this is to
be done
1t is estimated that there are in the
neig6borhood provinces of Canada not
less than one hundred thousand able
bodied men, refuge s from the Southern
States and deserters from the Union ar
mics. who are well drilled and may in
short time be organized into an army of
thoroughly disciplined soldiers. 1t is
known that they are already pinched with
want. and it is calculated that as the sea-
son advances they will be driven, by des-
tuition, to any desperate adventure that
promises relief from starvation and ex.
posture. These men are relied upon to
furnish the material for the enterprise
Detroit is selected as the field of opera
tons, from it's nearness to the Canadian
frontier, and hence its facility of commu-
nication not only for procuring men and
supplies. but also, doubtless, as atfording
a tolerably safe means of escape to the
leaders In the movement, in case of das-
aster.
A necessary part of this scheme is a
naval force. How is this to be procured
will be asked. 1t our information is cor
rect, it is already at hand. Every one
will call to mind the frequent mention in
the telegraph dispatches Of the escape of
blockade runners from the port of Will
mington, and their arrival at Halifax
These vessels, most OF them, are compactly
built, light draught steamers. Besides
the supplies of cotton and other articles
OF commerce taken from the rebel ports,
they carry regular commissions as part Of
the Con ederale navy, and such armament
as is suited to their tonnage and capacity.
The fact OF their coming from a Confed-
crate port, bearing those commissions,
will relievethem from the objection urged
against British built vessels, like the AL
ALBANIA and others, which have never
touched at port under rebel jurisdiction.
These vessels, after having procured what
supplies they can at HALIFAX, without vio-
latlng tue neutrality laws, are to start os-
tensibly on a cruise, but will make their
way directly up the Lawrence, through
Lake Ontario, the Wellaud Canal and
Lake Erie, and taking position in the river
opposite Detroit, dem-nd its uncondi-
tional surrender. The United States, by
treaty stlpulatisus with great Britain, be-
ing precluied from maintaining any naval
force on the lakes except for revenue pur-
pose, will, Of course, be powerless to
meet such an armament on its coming,
aud navigation will be closed before a
force can b. improvi>ed TO act against the
sulacious row rs. Thus, having posses
sion of and commanding the city, they
will declare it open to commerce, and
draw suppies-ior which ample mean:
have been provided from the proceeds o.
blockade running between the ports o.
Wilmington and Halifax and also receive
wiling aecessions TO their force from the
aiy material mentioned above, from the
other side
This plot is entirely consistent with
the lately discovered conspiracy ia Gin
cinnati to seize the steamer Michigan
and release the prisoners can6ned OF
Johnson's Island, in Sandusky Bay, anC
that conspiracy was doubtless part
though by no means necessary part, 0
it. The plot is novel one, but it mus
be confessed not mere rash than man
warhke enterprises that meet with sue
cess. The delenseless condition of on
lake coast and towns not only sugges
but invites some such enterprise, am
OctlOlt, rum itS lJCdliUuy cScbS Dte
adapted for its execution.
GENERAL sCHOFIELD COMING
OVER.
He wants to take the American TO
the benefit of the Provost Marsha
General.
lFrom the La Grange American, Eo7.H
b the mail on Thursday night we re
ceived the following order, in an oficis
envelope. We intend to comply with i
of course:
Headquarters Dept. of Missouri,
Office Provost Marshal Genl,
St Louis, Mo-, Oct 30th, 1868.
Special Orders, No. 1871.
VII. Hereafter all publishers of new
papers, edited and circulated in this D.
partment, will furnish one copy of eac
issue of their paper (daily and weekly
to this office.
By command of Maj. Gen. Schoield.
JAMES o. BROADHEAD.
Lieut.. Col. and Provost Marshal Gen1.