The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-08-07

The following is an exact copy oi
the original report of Jacob Thomp-
son, secret agent of the late Confeder-
ate Government, stationed in Canada
for the purpose of organizing an in
surrection in The Northern states and
burning the principal cities. The
original paper is now in the hands oi
the government:
ToRoNTo, c. W, December 3, 1864
The Hon. j. u. Benjamin, Secre-
tary of State-Sir: Several times
have | attempted to send you commu-
nications, but | have no assurance
that any one of them has been receiv-
ed. | have relaxed no effort to carry
cut the objects the government has in
view in sending me here l had
hoped at different times to have ac-
complished more, but still L do not
think that my mission has been alto
gether fruitless. At all events, we
have afforded the Northwestern States
the amplest opportunity to throw off
the CALLING dynasty at Washington,
and openly to take ground in favor of
State rights and civil liberty.
This fact must satisfy the large
class of discontents at home, of the
readiness and willingness of the ad-
ministration to avail itself of every
proffered assistance in our great
struggle for independence.
On my arrival here l heard there
was such an organization as the "Or-
der of the sons of Liberty" in the
Northern States, and my first efforts
was to learn its strength, its princi-
pies, its objects, and if possible to put
myself in communication with its
leading spirits. This was effected
without much difficulty or delay. /
was received among them with cordi-
ality, and the greatest confidence at
once extended to me. The number of
its members was large, but not so
great as Mr.. Holt in his official re-
port represents it to be. Its objects
were political; its principles were
that the government was based on
the consent of the parties to it; that
the States were the parties and were
sovereign; that there was no author
itv in the general government to CO.
cree a seceeding State. The resolu-
tions of 1898 and 1893 were set forth
as presenting the true theory of the
government. Its organization was
essentially military. 1t had its COM
manders or divisions, of brigades, of
regiments, of companies -
In the month of June last the uni
versal feeling among the members,
leaders, and privates, was that it was
useless to hold a Presidential election
Lincoln had the power and would GER
tainly elect himself, and there was no
hope but in force. The belief was
entertained and freeley 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 held. This being done
the States of Kentucky and Missouri
could be easily lifted from their pros
trate condition and placed on their
feet, and this in sixty days would end
the war.
While everything was moving
smoothly to a supposed successful
consummation, the first interruption
in the calculation was the postpone
ment of the meeting Of the Demo
cratic Convention from the 4th of
July to the 29th of August, but the
still went on, and in one
Of the States the Goth of July was
fixed as the day for the movement
But before the day arrived a general
council of the order from the differ
ent States was called, and it was
thought the movement ON the Goth of
July would be premature, and the
10th of August was fixed on for a
general uprising. This postpone
ment was insisted upon on the ground
that it was necessary to have series
Of public meetings to prepare the
public mind, and appointments for