Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-08-06
The Rebel .frchiVes.
TIE PLOT TO BURN NORTHERN CITiEs-THE
SONS OF neutrality-suspicious. OF MR..
GRRELEY's FRIENDS.

GREELFYS FRIENDc,
We have received yerbative copy of
the report made by Jacob Thompson Sc
cret agent of the rebel government IN
1864, with reference TO the plot to burn
northern cities and TO incite lots in aid
OF the Coniederacy. II bears signs OF
having been much handlcd.-On one
corner is the endorsement: Reed 18th
Feb. '65. j. P. b." These initials aie
said to be very familiar to those who
were acquainted with Mr.. J. z. Benja-
min, the then rebel Secretary OF State.
The signature is also recognized. II is
dated Dec. 8. 1864, at Toronto, Canada.
The first fact which il settles Is that
there was in the North in 1864 an organ.
iza,ion styled the "Sons Of Liberty"
whose objects, 10 quote the language of
the report "~orc political; whose priuci
Piles was that government were based on
the consent OF parties 10 it; that The
States were the parties; and that there
was no authority TO the general govern
ment TO coerce seeding States.
The society in June 1864 decided that
ii WAS useless to hold Presidential elec-
ton for il was evident that Lincoln would
be rejected, but il was deemed feasible
by bold and vigorous movement 10
seize and hold the great States OF Ohio,
Indiana and Illinois. The interruption
of this plsn Was caused says the report,
by the postponement OF the Democratic
Convention from the ith oil July To the
29,h of August. Preparations went on,
however, and the 10Th OF July was fixed
upon Tor u movement, but afterwards
this decision was rcconsidered and the
10th OF Augns. was selected.
This postpomcment WAS on the ground
that il was necessary 10 hold series oi
meetings TO prepare The public mind
The first one was hold al Peoria, aud 30
make it success Thompson agreed 10
furnish tho necessary money. 1t WAS
held and says tho report lit was decided
success, the vast multitude pr csunt being |
swayed by hut one leading idea-Pence.
About this time tho correspondence be- |
tween the Conlcderates and Horace Gree.
ley made its appearance ''Lincoln"
manifesto" SAYS the report. shocked |
the country" The next meeting came OF |
but was not success
About this time large lot OF arms
were purchased and sent 10 indianapolis,
which were discoy cred and some ut The
loading men were charged with the de.
sign TO arm the members of the Order
for reasonable purposes. Ireachcry
showed itself at Louisville. Judge Bul' |
lit aud DR.. kaltus were arrested aud
sent 10 Memphis.
The day Tor the great movement came
but Mr.. Mcdonald, candidate Tor COVER.
nor OF Indiana, thinking il would iniurc,
his chances, threatened To expose the
whols conspiracy unless it wa, abandon
ed. So nothing WAS done Arrests fol
lowed and The Sons of Liberty" broke
up.
Tie reports also give tho particulars
of those raids from "auada which wcro
carried out and The plans al others
which were not accomplished. The
most important portion OF this report
stamps il rs one of the most horrible doc
umonts which ha, appeared among the
official records OF civilized states Tor Il
long time One would infer from the
perfectly cold bl CODED tone oi Tho report
that the hiring OF agents Ia 'urgaliz"'
the burning oi undrtcndcd town, was All
ordinary incident OF war among Chri'
tain n,tons, like battles. or assaults on
fortified places We read that:
"Hsring nothing else on hand Colonel
Martin expressed wish To organize Il
corps To burn New York city. He was
allowed to do So, aud most daring at.
tempt Ina. been made To liro that city,
but their reliance on the Greek firc has
proved u misfortune. Ii can not be de-
pended on AS al agent in such work
have no faith whatever i'll ii, ana no
attempt shall hereafter DC made, under
my general directions. with ANY such
materials. During my stay in Canada
great amount OF property has been des'
troycd by burning. Tho information
brought me ~ to the perpetrators is SO
conflicting and contradictory, that | am
satisfied that nothing can DC certainly
known. Should claims be presented at
the war office for payments for this
kind OF work. not one dollar should be
advanced on any proof adducpd until all
the parties concerned may have IN OPP
portunity luI making out and presenting
proof Sr,rral parties claim to have
done The WORK at ST. Louis, New Orleans,
Louisville. brooklyn, Philadelphia, and
nj Cairo. Within the last lew days DR..
X. |. Stewart OF Virginia, has reached
this place. and very mys!oriously informs
me that ne has plan for the execution
of something which has received the
sanction OF the President. He is in want
OF money, and states to me that you gave
him Il draft on me Tor $40. 900 in gold,
which has hoen lost Oh the way"
Mr.. Frye on the Finances.
Mr. Fryes statement ut the County
Convention. relative to the finances oil
,ho country lac henn en- misrpnrescnipd |