Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-31
JACOB THOMPS0N'S REPORT.
The First Instalment Of the "Rebel7
Archives.

The Confederate secret Servfce-What
was Contemplated and what Accom-
pIished-Mighty Interesting Read.
ing.
WASHINGTON, July 24.-The following
Is an exact copy OF the original report OF
Jacob Thompson, secret agent of the late
Confederate Government, stationed In Can
ada. The original is among the papers re-
Gently purchased by the Government at
8 cost OF SIS, 900: sEgAT IFl1a- 4
THoMPsoN's OFFICIAL REPORT.
TORONTO, c. W., Dec. 8, 1S64.-The
Hon. j. P. Benjamin, Secretary Of State
Sir: Several times have attempted to send
you communications, but l have no as
surance that any Of them have been re-
ceiyed. have relaxed no effort in carry
ing out the objects the Government had in
view in sending me here. l had hoped at
different times to have accomplished more,
but still do not think my mission has
been altogether fruitiess. At all events we
have afforded the Northwestern States the
amplest opportunity TO throw off the CALLING
dynasty at Washington and openly take
ground in favor of State rights and civil
liberty. This fact must satisfy the large
class of discontenis at home Of the readl-
ness and willingness Of the Administration
to avail itself of every proffered assistance
in our great struggle for independence.
On my arrival here / heard there was such
an organization as the "0rder of the Sons
of Liberty" in the Northern States, and
my first effort was to learn its strenth, its
principles, and its objects, and, if possible
to put my self in communication with its
leading spirits. This was effected without
much difficulty or delay. l was received
among them with cordially, and the great
est confidence at once extended to me. The
number of its members was large, but not
so great as Mr.. Holt, in his official report,
represented it to be. Its objects were poll
teal; its principles were that the Govern
ment was based on the consent OF the par
ties TO it; that the States were the parties
and were sovereign; that there was no au-
thority in the General Government to CO
cree a seeding 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 commanders, of divisions, Of brig
AIDES, of regiments, of companies.
A PLOT TO SEIZE THREE STATES.
In the month Of June last, the universal
feeling among its members, leaders and
privates, was that it was useless to hold
Presidential election. Lincoln had the
power and would certainly elect himself,
and there was no hope but in force. The
belief was entertained and freely expressed
that by a bold, vigorous and concerted
movement the three great Northwestern
States of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio could
be seized and Leld. This being done the
States of Kentucky and Missouri could be
easily lifted from their PROSTATE condition
and placed on their feet; aud this IN sixty
DAYS would end the war
While everything was moving smoothly
to supposed successful consummation, the
first interruption in the calculation was the
postponement Of the meeting of the Demo-
cratic Convention from the 4th of July to
the both Of August; but the preparation still
went on, and in enc of the States the 10th
of July was fixed as the day for the move
ment. But, before tie day arrived, gen.
eral council of the order from different States
was called, and it was thought the move
Ihent on the 10th July would be premature,
and the 10Th Of August was fixed upon for
general uprising. This postpOnement was
insisted upon on the ground that it Was ne
cessary TO have series of public meetings
to prepare the public mind, and appoint
ments for public peace meetings were made,
one at Peoria, one at SprinPteld, land at Chi
cago. On the 10Th the List one was held
at Peoria, and. to make it a success,
agreed that so much money as was necessa-
~ would be furnished by me. 1t was held,
and was a decided success. The vast null
titudes who attended seemed to be swayed
by one leading idea-peace. The friends
sTere encouraged and strengthened, and
seemed ixious for the day when they
would do something to hasten to the great
goal of peace.
HORACE GREELEY AND PEACE.
About this time that correspondence be-
tween our friends and Horace Greeley
made its appearance. LincOin's manifesto
shocked the country. The belief prevailed
over the North that the South would agree
20 Instruction, and the politicians, es-
pecially the leading ones, conceived the
idea that IN such an issue Lincoln could be
beaten at the ballot-box. At all events,
they argued the trial Of the ballot-bOx
should he made before resort to arms
was made, al ways a denier resort. The
Sprinefield meeting came of, but it was ap-
parenI that the fire exhibited at Peoria had
already diminished. The whole tone Of
tnG bDt1ktTS was OLdb bllO pCOFlC Luu0b ICY
on the ballOt-box for redress of grievances.
Hhe nerves of the leaders of the order be-
gan to relax. About this time large lot
of arms we're purchased and sent TO Indian
apulis, 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
Itself at Louisville. Judge Bullet and DIR.
Ealfus were arrested aud sent TO Memphis
The day on which the great movement was
70 be made became known to Mr.. Melon
aid, candidate for Governor OF Indiana,
and, baevi' it would mar his prospects
for election u Iless prevented, he threatened
to expose all the parties engaged unless
the prrj Ct was abandoned. Thus the day
passed by, and nothing was done. The
Chicago Convention came. The crowd
was immense. The feeling was unanimous
for peace. A general impression prevailed
that q reconstruction could be had, and
that it was necessary TO so far pander to
the military feeling as to take Gen. Me
Clellan TO insure certain success.
THE TROUBLES OF TRAITORS.
This nomination, followed, as il was, by
divers disclosures and arrests Of persons
who were prominent members, totally de
moralzed the .'Sons of Liberty" The
feeling with the masses is as strong as ever.
They are true and brave, and believe are
willing and ready, but they have no lead
ers. The vigilance of the administration,
its large detective force, the large bounties
paid for treachery, and the respectable men
who have Welded TO the temptation, added
TO the large military force stationed in these
States. MAKE organization and preparation
almost an inpossibility. A large sum of
money has been expended in fostering and
furtherin these operations, and now seems
to have been to liLtle profit, but, in review
ing the past, do not see how 1t could have
been avoided, nor has it been spent alto
gether ia vain. The apprehensions OF tue
enemy have caused him to bring back ana
keen IRON the field in front at least $4,000
men to watch and browbeat the people at
home. In this view of the subject the same
arouut of money has eff cted so much IN
no other quarter since the commencement
OF the war.
IN jaly last Capt Charles II. Cole OF
Gen. FORESTS command, made his escape
flo prison. He represented to me that
he had beeu appointed lieutenant in our
Davy. | sent him around the lakes with in
structions 20 60 as lower deck passenger,
TO famiH2rize himself with all the channels
aud different approaches to the several har-
~.