, 1864-08-08
THREATENED NoRTaERN REBELLION.

The st. Louis Democrat OF Jhly 18th
publishes an account Of conspiracy TO es-
tablish Northwestern Confederacy. The
organization engaged in the conspiracy is
known as the Order Of American Knights.
The real object of the conspirators is to
defeat the efforts Of the Government to crush
the rebellion, and to overthrow the Govern
ment. They profess different purposes in
different States: in New York, Pennsylva-
MIA, New jersey, and other States, they
proclaim the war policy; while in the West
they clamor for peace.
The Order is of Southern origin; being
erected on the ruins of the Knights of the
Golden Circle Sterling Price is to be su-
premc commander. Vallandigham, while
in Richmond, was made supreme commander
of the northern section. The conspiracy
was entered into between him and the rebel
authorities, to divide the East and Vest, and
thus aid the Southern rebellion.
Vallandigham's time in Canada was prin-
cipally devoted to furthering this scheme.
lie had conference with some leading men
North, soon after his return from Canada,
and arranged the establishment Of lodges
throughout the loyal States. The names of
those who visited him at the Clifton House
are known to the Government; among them
II. B. Reed, Of Philadelphia; Pendleton
and Pugh, of Ohio; Kibben, Of st. Louis,
and Forey and Merrick, of Chicago, are
published. The results of the conference
were well known to the Government. About
the LIST Of January, Vallandigham issued
an address to the lodges in the loyal States,
in which he called on the members to re-
new their pledges He says the time is
approaching to test their sincerity; that
the prosecution Of the war is violation of
the rights Of the States, and that President
Lincoln is a usurper. A meeting Of Grand
Commanders was to be held in different
States. One was held in New York on the
22d of February, for the purpose of organ
izing an outbreak on the 10th of March,
the day fixed for the draft. No definite
plan was resolved upon. The names of
these conspiratOrs are also known. The
same Commanders had an interview with
the Supreme Commander at Windsor, Can
ada West, early in April, for general con-
sultation. Among those in attendance were
McMasteE Of New York, Chas. L. Hunt of
st. Louis, and Lafayette Devlin of Indiana.
1t was proposed at this meeting that Vallan-
digham should represent the district Of Ohio
in the Democratic National Convention, and
proclaim the doctrines Of the Order. Pierce
prOnounces the existing Administration and
the Government power a usurpation. which
the people had right to expel by force, if
necessary, in tho Inauguration Of rebellion
North, in which he was supported BY the
Order.
Each Grand Commander was to have an
armed body guard at the Convention, for
the defence Of Vallandigham. This, il is
thought, viii precipitate the people into an
armed conflict. which would be signal to
the members Of the Order to unite against
the lawful authorities, kill and capture the
naval and military officers, seize all the ar
senals and public property Of al kinds, and
pronounce the Government oyerthrown.
The reason for Vallandigham's sudden
return to Ohio was that in his absence he
would be defeated as delegate to Chicago,
and only by his presence could his election
be secured. The numerical strength Of the
Order Is said 10 exceed 100000, Of whom
l50, 900 arc armed. The Order in New
York are called Mcclellan minute men, and
number 100000. The Grand Commander
is Chas. i. Hunt, in place Of II. Lucas, who
was for many years Belgian Consul in st.
Louis. A large list Of names Of members
of the Order in different States, together
with full information regarding the same, Is
in the hands Of the authorities at Washing
ton, and will probably be Published.
FIRES IN THE WooDs.-For some weeks
past, large fires have prevailed in all di-
rections north and west Of SteilacoOm, ex-
tending over considerable tracts Of country.
At times not only the waters Of the Sound
but all Of the country beyond, has been
enselOped in dense smoke, as impenetra-
be as tho heaviest fog. The Indians pur-
posely start these fires, which arc sometimes
destructive Of much valuable timber, to
promote the growth Of berries in future sea.
sons. A large portion Of their subsistence
Is derived from this source; hence their OBJ
ject in kindling these fires.
New MErHoD or sHIPBUILDINo.-On
the East River, N. Y, a lighter is being
built which will not contain a single parti-
Gle Of metallic fastening. The frame work
Of the vessel consists Of one plank diagOn-
ally placed and bent to run from bulwark
to bulwark in single piece. These are
held in place BY compressed locust treenails,
thus doing away with the spike and copper
nails ordinarily used, and which rapidly
corrode and rust. She is warranted to do
three times the usual service Of that kind
Of erai.