The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-28
THE CONFEDERATE ARCHIVES.
JACOB THOMPSOa'S MISSION TO CANADA.
Reasons That Led to the Appointment Of the
Commissioners to Canada-Jacob Thompsons
Despatch from Canada-The Herald
Obtains the Documents in Advance
Without Paying $4,000.

NEW YORK, July %, 1872
To THE EDITOR OF THE lIERALD:-
Wednesdays HERALD furnished one original docu
ment Of those mysterious archives that appear
to have been sedulousy pursued, carefully
guarded, and finally sold to our government for a
round sum, as the reward of indefatigabe toll
Truly honor and patriotism deserve this liberal
recOmpense. twice-tOld tale Is ever weary, but
subjects Of national interest derive additional I'M
portance when they are first unveiled, especially
since mystery has cloaked the motives of the
actors, and envenomed spite only reveals the
darker side OF the picture. This has been hitherto
obscured to the observation OF the
public until the HERALD offers the first
information. Like Richelieu, meaner minds
would invent conspracies that they
might decapitate enemies-'' stale pretence." The
period of lettres de cachet has passed away, and
the Bastie is overthrown. The Infamous inven-
tons OF bigoted minds are no longer believed by
their most besoted followers, and the future crcu
lation OF mendacious scandal will find its lasting
quetus in the erpos5 that the diligence of the
HERALD is able to present to its reaoers in Offering
truthful exposition, based on documentary evil
dencc, of the true aims and motives OF those whose
actions have been unjustly criticized.
Other stories that have had their propagation
and currency in the Juror Of passion, and have
been momentarily accepted as veracious, WILL like
Truth crushed to earth. rise again" only to
crush their inventors. These creatures OF mon
strOus birth in incredible proportion (ony exceeded
by those whose gullibillty Of belief acts upon their
supposed verify, will finally be eXtirpated from
every mind save those whose systematic prejudice
continues to circulate the scandal generated by u
keener intelligence
THE REASONS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF CoMMls.
SIONERs TO CANADA.
A short, succinct, and truthful record of historic
facts is herewith presented
In the month oil May 1884, General Grant was adj
vancing upon Richmond. His army was supposed
to be 500 600 strong or capable Of being reinforced
to that number, which was opposed by General
advancing upon Johnston, at Chattanooga, with an
army supposed TO be 100000 strong, While John
stons forces numbered only 10000.
The leading minds OF the Confederacy recognized
their perilous If not lorlorn position, and felt the
In the end lead to their overthrow. In this emer-
gency diplomacy and arbitration were suggested,
and resulted in the appointment Of the Commits.
else their influence in final ad, ustment on u
peaceful basis, OF the national conflict The South
was weary Of , war, and obviously unable to con-
hoped and believed that the more pow
eriu North, equally sick Of the conflict would be
willing to extend the olive branch under motives OF
common humanity and brotherhood. In other
words that by proper approaches they might once
aze and adIudicate their dacuIties on the basis Of
justice and honor to either party. Some co-opera-
ton was needed to effect this end There was q
strong peace party at the North, and especially
in the West.
In consequence Of information derived from re-
States believed that there was organization In the
Northern and Western States, and especially in the
latter, consisting OF talented men and true patriots
men who loved their whole country, its constitution
and laws more than the mere interests Of a section.
In the overthrow OF the Southern States they saw
the total destruction of the rights of all the Statss
union seemed inevitable. If the North succeeded
they would. in effect, establish central
they would form an independent cOnfed-
eracy. In either case disunion appeared
fathers, they thought the time had arrived to az
sert their reserved rights. 1t was with this party
the commissioners OF the COnfedcracy were ex-
pected to treat: and believing, as the Southern
Congress did, that all that was necessary to bring
this organization into action was sufficient
amount OF means to make their true position felt,
they appropriated in secret session 81 900 be
placed at the disposition or the Commissioners
iected by the Southern Executive This sum was
too large to be entrusted at one time to a single
convoy, and was transmitted by instruments under
the following authorized letter.
n. g., on,,o.o m ,L R'c NM, D., April Is, 1884,
S9oo0o0 which hope will reach you In time Please
fy eY sEs e. aar'
Hon. JAcoB Tnoxrsos, Wilmington, N c.
Having thus stated the political movement con-
teupated, 1t can readily be apprehendcd that u
mission OF this character was OF the most dignined
further proof is needed Of this the smbjoned letter
written In the following winter, will demonstrate
the fact. 1t probably does not appear in the lately
purchased archives for they are, by their salesman,
claimed to be merely Historical records" and
doubtless valuable only as statistical reports from
the Southern Quarterniaster and COmmissary De-
partments, manifesting upon how small quantity
OF provisions and army stores an extensive army
may possibly subsist for a prolonged period.
II aught more appears 1t will be very readily ex-
planned from documents still in existence and In
the hands OF various parties, that will demonstrate
stroyed in Richmond but still remain in
Canada and have never yet been sold for
price. In bulk, to the present administration.
In order to dispe, however, any doubts as TO the
true objects Of the mission to Canada and believing
that at this period full exhibit OF facts may be
made without exciting further prejudice TO any
party the following authentic document, and the
first sent from Canada Is offered as
JACOB THoMPsON's DESPATCH,
giving detailed account Of his primary operations
In the Provinces
WINDSOR G. W. July 9, 1861
snYou viii perceive hH am az windsor Just oppo-
Clay was taken sick Halifax and remained bchni He
Is now e 81 GATHERINGS reached Montreal on May go
an interview with reliable and sensible rcnean rom
with him satisfied that nothing could done in
The Eastern States where the war is popular because %
prosecution Absolutely nothing promised from an
Alter remaining two weeks for the arrival of Mr.. Clay.
lcame o. q! to This place Here met with Mr. b, tie
and ssssn S $sdSs s MSitq" nsSs
ana was al once initiated. This insight
their principles and strength. much pleased with
it, and there nothing IN IT, 80 far as was permitted
TO go, which did no, meet my hearty appreciation and
took three degrees think they are In fair working
order All they need now occasion, they style it,
to rise and assert their rights When Mr.. returned IL
was expected that he would be rcarrcsed, nnd then they
expected To HIM and meet the consequences After
the position taken by the Cleveland Convention told him
had no such expectation believed Lincoln could
touch him lie IL loo much accustomed 70 back down
Then they expected that the violence OF the aJoltionits
great that they would burn the hall lately
IL Chicago tor the holding of the Democratic Convention
ippediacly after that Convention adjourned on tie t
ofJuy.
But that Convention has been postponed until the 10Th
still there threats OF the abOionsis 10
burn This before The meeting ~ the copperhcad ~ they
are called. BI, IiX,d that this movement will
take place the 10Th
Thc enrolled strength the order IN Illinois Is sJOl
in Indiana, 5000, and Ohio, 5000, In Kentucky,
known. but represented ~ large.
This investigation wns made tour weeks ago. ana the
numbers increa ling daily. The plan Is th~:simu-
lnlenI,slX u mlXcinnnL VIII be undo al Ccngn Rock