The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-05-26
Rsv. W. n. .RyAer.

Rev. Mr.. RYDER, Of Chicago, testified:
/ visited Richmond in the month Of April
remaining from che 18th to the 2lst, and
picked up ia or near the State House >
letter signed "W. J. Oldham, Feb. IL.
1865" to Davis, in which be Gala the IT.
ten lion Of the President 70 the bet that
certain difficulties in plan invented to
destroy the enemy's vessels, cities, &C.,
and to create terror at the North, had
been overcome. The preparation is allud-
ed to as having been prepared By Prof.
McCulloch, to whom and one other per-
son only the preparation wasknown. The
writer states that by its means every ves-
sci leaving foreign ports for the United
States
A break occurs here owing to severe
storm at the East, and We can only get the
conclusion, rs follows:l
of the War Department testified to his
knowing that tho endorsement was in the
handwriting Of JEFF Davis. Other wit
nesses were examined.
Especial to Western Associated Press.
THE OLDHAM LETTER.
The following is the full letter mention
ed in Mr.. Ryder's testimony:
"Richmond. Feb. IL, 1865.
"His Excellency JEFF. Davis.
President c. s. A.:
"When Senator johnson and myself
waited upon You come days since in rels.
ton to the project Of annoying and en-.
barrassing the enemy by means of burn
ing their shipping, towns, &C., there we're
several remarks made by you upon the
subject, that was not fully prepared to
answer, but which upon subsequent con-
ference with parties proposing the enter
prise, find l cannot apply as objections
to the scheme. First, the combustible
material consists of several preparations,
and not one alore, and can be used with.
out exposing the party using them to any
danger of detection whatever. The prepa.
rations are not in the hands OF Mr. Dan.
lei, but are in the hands of Professor Nc.
Cullough, and are known but to him and
one other party.
GAS ] understand it there is no neees-
sity for sending persons in the military
service into the enemy's country, but the
work may be done by agents and in most
cases by persons ignorant of the facts and
therefore innocent agents. / have eeen
enough OF the effects that can be produced
to satisfy me that in most cases, without
any danger to the persons engaged, and
to Others but very slight, we can first burn
every vessel that leaves foreign port for
the United States. second, We can burn
every transport that loads in the harbor
of New York OF other Northrn ports with
supplies for the armies of the enemy in
the South. Third, burn, every transport
and gunboat on The Mississippi river. as
well as dsvastate the country and Gil the
people with terror and CONSERVATION.
81 am not alone 10 the opinion, but
many other gentlemen are as fully i'm.
pressed with the conviction as ar
believe we have means at
if promptly sppropris' 1u. I'M AM
IN q very shr Ter the Northey q peopI
satisfy ut time. for 'ns purpose {
ro- ag your mind on the subject / re
-ctfulIy but earnestly rec guest that 70
will have au interview " 18th Gen. Harri
formerly member of Congress from Mi
souri,, who, think, is able By conciusiy
proofs to convince you that what bav
suggested is practicable. l hope for th
success of our cause in this struggle, wit
the conviction Of the Importance of avail
ing ourselves of every plan of defens
This must be my excuse for writing yo
and requesting you to invite Gen. Harr
to see you, II you should see fit to do 81
when it will be convenient for you to sc
him.
l am resp'y your obed't servant,
w. 8. OLDHAM"
THE ENDORSEMENT.
On the back of the letter are the tw
endorsements, the 6rst being:
Richmond, Feb. l2, '85.
"Hon w. s. Oldham:
"In relation to plans and means {
burning the enemy's shipping, towns, g.
Preparations are in the hands of Pro
Mccullough, ind are known only to on
party; asks the President to have an il
terview with Gen. Harris, formerly fro,
Missouri, on the subject. Secretary
State, at his convenience, please see Ge'
Harris, and learn what plan he has f,
overcoming the difficulty heretofore e,
perienced.
'Rec'd Feb II, 1865. ID.
"2olh Feb, 1865"