Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-07-29
4 LEAF FROM HISTORY.

victory IN November.
4 LEAF FROM HISTORY.
REPoRT OF J. THOMPSON, SECRET AGENT OF
THE LATE CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT,
STATIONED IN CANADA, FOR THE PURPOSE
OF ORGANIZING RESURRECTION IN THE
NORTHERN STATES AND BrRSINo THIS PRIN-
| cIPAL CITIES.
inal paper now in the hands of the Govern
ment, and it will be read with interest :,
every loyal citizen:
THE REpoRT.
TORONTO, C. W., Dec. 3, 1864
Hon. J. p. BENJAMIN, SECRETARY OF STATE
| Sir--Several times have | attempted to send
you communications, but | have no assur-
1 ance that any one of them has been received.
l have relaxed no effort to carry out the OBJ
| jects the Government had in view in sending
me here. had hoped at different times to
have accomplished more, but still do not
think my mission has been altogether fruit
less. At all events, we have afforded the
Northwestern States the amplest opportunity
to throw Off the CALLING dynasty at Washing
ton, and openly to take ground in favor of
State Rights and civil liberty. This fact must
of the readiness and willingness Of the Ad-
ministlation to avail itself of every rroffered
| assistance in our great struggle for iEdepend
ence.
On nv arrival here heard that there was
such an organization as the Order of the
| "Sons of Liberty in the Northern States, and
my first effort was to learn its strength, its
principles and its objects, and if possible, to
put myself in communication with its leading
| spirits. This was effected without much diff
| fculty or delay. | was received among them
with cordiality, and the greatest confidence at
once extended to me. The number of its
members was large, but not go great as Mr.
Holt, in his official report represented it to
be. Its objects were political; its principles
we're that the Government was based on the
consent of the parties to it; that the States
were sovereign; that there was no authority
in the General Government to coerce a Sc
ceding State. The resolutions of 1898 and
| 1899 were set forth as presenting the true
theory of the Government. Its organization
was essentially military; it had its command
srs of divisions, of brigades, of regiments, of
companies.
In the month of June last the universal
feeling among its members, leaders and pri-
Yates was that it was useless to hold presi-
Dental election; Lincoln had the power and
was no hope but in force. The belief was en-
tertained and freely expressed that by bold
vigorous and concerted movement the three
great Northwestern States of Illinois, Indiana
and Ohio could be seized and held. This
being DONE the States OF Kentucky and Mis-
souri, could easily be lifted from their pros
trate condition and placed on their feet, and
this in sixty days would end the war. While
everything was moving on smoothly to a
supposed successful consummation, the first
interruption in the calculation was the post
ponement of the meeting of the democratic
Convention from the Fourth OF July to the
18th of August. but preparations still went
on and in one of the States the Goth Of July
was fixed as the day for a movement
But before the day arrived general coun-
Gil of the order from different States was
called, and it was thought the movement on
the goth of July would be premature, and the
10th of August was fixed u on for general
uprising. This postponement was insisted
upon the ground that it was necessary to have
series OF public meetings to prepare the pub
lie mind, and appointments for public peace
meetings were made--one at Peoria one at
Springfield, and one at Chicago on the lGth. |
The first one was at Peoria, and to make il n
success, agreed that so much money as was
necessary would be furnished by me. Ii was
held, and wasta decided success. The vast
multitude who attended seemed to be swayed
by one leading idea-Peace. The friends
were encouraged and strsngthened and
seemed anxious for the day when they would
do something to hasten them to the goal of
peace. About this time that correspondence
between our friends and Horace Greeley made
its appearance. Lincon's manifesto shocked
the country. The belief in some way pre-
vailed over the North that the South would |
agree to recon truction, and the politicians, |
especially the leading ones conceived the !
idea that on such an issue Lincoln conld be |
beaten at the ballotb0x. At all events they
argned that the trial of the ballot box should |
be made before Il resort TO force-always a |
de1nier resort The Springfield meeting
came off, but il was apparent that the fire ex-
hibited at Peoria had already administrative |
whole tone Of the speakers was that the peo-
pie must rely on the ballot. box for redress OF
grievances. The nerves OF the leaders OF the
order began to relax. About this time large
lot OF arms were purchased and sent to In
dianapolis, which was discovered, and some
OF the leading men were charged with the de ',
sign to arm the members of the order for
reasonable purposes. Treachery showed it. ,
self at Louisville, Judge Bullitt and DIR. Kali !
fus were arrested and sent to Memphis.
The day which the great movement was to
be made became known TO Mr.. Mcdonald, /
candidate for Governor of Indiana and be-
lieving that it would mar his prospects tor
election unless prevented, he threatened
to expose all the parties engaged unless
the project was abandoned. Thus the dav
passed by and nothing was done. The
Chicago Convention came; the crowd was
immense: the feeling was unanimous far
peace; general impression prevailed that
reconstruction could be had, and that it was
necessary 10 so far pander to the military
feeling as to take Gen. Mcclellan to secure a
certain success. This nomination, follows ed
as it was by divers disclosures and arrests of
persons, prominent members, totally demor-
allied the "Sons Of Liberty" The feeling
with the masses is as strong as ever; they
are true, brave, and l believe willing and
ready, but they have no leaders. The vigil