Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1868-07-14

rity which could only come of constant
practice.
From the window at which | sat |
could easily notice that | was regarded
with suspicion. Finally, after frequent
conferences and cogitations amongst
themselves, a deputation of three enter
ed the room and proceeded to catechise
me respecting who and what l was.
sent them away no wiser than before,
but much more suspicious. Next morn
ing the landlord informed me that llhad
been taken for Il spy of the Canadian
Government, and then kindly proceed
ed to enlighten me upon the fate-n not
over pleasant onc-which awaited me
had the "brethreno been able to find
any evidence that | was minion of the
hated Saxon which observations con-
firmed me in the belief that there was
something in that Ieighborhood to be
spicd out.
On my return to st. Adams on Mons
day morning, | had the good fortune to
meet with two genuine, bona .fde Fc-
Man Colonel Brennan and
Captain" Grisoll. of New York city,
member Of the Brotherhood. He it
was who superintendent the removal of
the arms from St. Adams, first having
obtained the required security from
some of the wealthy brethren of Troy
and New York. He talked with me for
some time mot being aware | was a Ca
madam, and spoke confidently of the
ultimate success of an attack upon Cana
da. He remarked that, the seizure of
their arms by the United States author
tiles, at the time of the last raid, was Il
great blow to them, and that they were
going to avoid this time, and in this
way The arms that We're taken from
st. Adams were now scattered through
out the Irish portions of the State, and
it was impossible (he laid particular
stress upon this point for the Govern
mcnt to find out where they were. The
country is hilly, and there are plenty of
places of cOncealment; and,' added
he, the boys out there would think
nothing oflctting daylight through any
man who would venture there as a spy
endeavoring to find out the whereabouts
of the arms" This was refreshing news
to me, who had just returned from that
delectabe region. g Besides" he OBJ
served, "if the Government should dis
cover one place of concealment, they
would only find some half-a-doZen arms
there In short, the effect of his re-
marks was that they had now rcgained
possession of their arms, and it was an
impossibility for the Government to re-
cover them, or, should they be used un-
lawfully, to recover the amount of the
securities simply because it would be
impossible for that point to be proved,
seeing that the Government had lost
track of the whereabouts of the arms.
The Colonel flattered himself that they
would experience no trouble from the
u. S. authorities this time. Last time
they were too reckless, and took no
trouble to evade the Government. On
this occasion Che spoke of a raid as GER
tain) they intended to take different
course. They would keep out of the
United States authorities as much as
possible, and he believed the authori-
ties could not go much out of their way
to interfere. He was of opinion, also,
that the officers of the army were favor
ably disposed towards the Fenians, and
would carry out any orders that might
be issued against them with as much
leniency Us possible. The above was
simply the purport of the "Colonel's,"
remarks, though he spoke in more eau
tious and guarded terms. He further
assured me that the arms which had
been removed from st. Adams were
available for use when wanted. He was
of opinion that the Canadians were pref
| ty badly scared, but had no doubt that
when cornered they would show fight.
He organized a strong circle, so he said,
in some part of Fairfield County yester-
day Sunday and intends to hold Sc
cret meeting of the brethren i'm this
town tonight. Tomorrow morning he
leaves for Malone. He is young man
about thirty, should say of medium
size, well-built, intelligent, energetic
and earnest, and has quite a gentleman
ly and soldierly-like appearance. His
companion, Captain" Grisoll, is also
young man. very short Of stature, and
has the physiognomical signs of great
determination and physical hardihood.
From ali can learn, the Fenians will
be greatly disappointed if they expect,
as Colonel Brennan says they do, that
the United States officers will be dila-
tory in executing orders against the Fee
mans. Major Gibson, commander of
the forces at Boston, was at st. Adams
the other day looking after Fenian
movements and Col. Powell, cOmman-
der of the Garrison at Plattsburgh, am
informed, is keeping sharp eye upon
all their doings. However, | will prob
ably be able to give you more reliable
information on this point in my next
letter. | have been informed on good
authority, that Gen. Meade, being now
relieved from his command in the South
by the recent Amnesty Proclamation of
the President, will be again appointed
to the command of the Northern From
tier. Should this be the case, it is an
earnest that the prompt means which
were taken in 1866 will be repeated in
1868, should the Fenians be so foolish as
to attempt another raid.
A few words before l close respecting
the general sentiment of the people in
this vicinity, as far as l have been able
thize" with the Fenian movement, but
nothing more. 1t should be borne in
mind, that at the time of the last raid
not single man from st. Adams or vi