New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-07-25
JACOB THOMPSON'S REPORT.

THE REBEL SECRET SERVICE UNvAILED.
PLOTS AND CoUNTERPLoTs-PLANs FOR CAP
| TURING STATES, SEEING STEAMERS, AND
| BUINING CIrIES-sCIIEMES FOR BULLlNG
| GolD-rHE PRACTICAL RESULTS OF THoMP-
| sons MISSION.
WASHINGTON, July 24.-The following is an
exact copy Of tho original report OF Jacob Thompson
secret agent OF the late Confederate Government sta
toned In Canada for the purpose organizing nsur
recton In the Northern States and burning the principal
cities The original paper is in the hands of the
Government.
THoMPsoNs OFFICIAL STORY.
TORONTO, C. W., Dec g. 1864.
The Hon j. T. BENJAMIN, Secretary Of State.
sIR Several times have attempted to send you
munications, but have assurance that any OF
them has been received 1 have relaxed no effort
carry out the objects 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 frutless At all events we have
afforded the Northwestern States the amplest oppOrtu
nifty to throw off the CALLING dynasty at Washington and
openly TO take ground favor OF State rights and civil
liberty This fact must satisfy the large class of dscon
tents at home OF the readiness and willingness Of the
Administration to avail itself Of every proered assist
ance in our great struggle for independence.
On my arrival here heard there was such an organ
izaton 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, possible
10 put myself in communication with its leading spirits
This effected without much difficulty delay.
wac received among them with cordlaity, ana tine
greatest confidence at once extended TO The mum
Der of Its members was large, but not 80 great as Mr.
Holt, in his official report represented 1t to be. Its OBJ
Jecs were political; It's principles were that the Govern
men was based the consent OF the parties TO H That
the states the parties and were sovereign that
there was no authority in the General Government to
set forth presenting the true theory OF the Gov
eminent. Its organization was essentially military 10
had its commanders OF divisions, OF brigades Of regl'
ments OF companies.
PLOT TO SEIZE THREE STATES.
In the month OF June last the universal feeling among
its members leaders and prvates that IT wasuseess
to hold Presidential election Lincoln had the power
and would certainly elect himself and there hope
but force The belief entertained ard freely
pressed that by bold. vigorous and concerted move
tho three great Northwestern States OF Illinois,
the States OF Kentucky and Missouri could be easily
lifted from their PROSTATE condition and placed on their
feet; and this in sixty days would end the war
While everything moving smoothly TO q supposed
successful consummaton the first Interruption In the
Democratic Convention from the 4th of July to the 29h
of August but the preparations stu went on ana I'm IN
for the movement But before the day day arrived arrived,
movement on the 10th Of July would be premature
and the 18th Of August fixed upon for general up
rising. This postponement insisted upon on the
ground that it was necessary TO have series OF pubic
meetings to prepare the public mnG @na a.
at sprngfeld and one at Chicago ON the first
agreed that SO much money as was necessary would be
furnished by me- II was held, and was decided sue
The vast mutitudes who attended seemed to be
swayed by one leading idea-peace The friends were
encouraged aud strengthened and seemed anxious for
the day when they would do something 10 hasten 10 the
great goal OF peace.
HORACE GREELEY AND PEACE.
About this time that correspondence between our
friends and Horace Greeley made its appearance Lin
cdns manifesto shocked the country The belief pre-
vailed over the North that the South would to
reconstruction and the politicians especially the lead
INF ones conceived the idea that such issue Lin
con could be beaten at the balotbox. AT all events,
they argued the trial OF the ballobOx should he made
before resort TO made, always dernier re-
Ort Tie Springfield meeting came OIL, but It was APP
parent that the fire exhibited at Peoria had already d.
ninished The whole tone Of the speakers that the
eope must rely on the balot-Dox for redress OF gey
| FLAX. About this time large lot of arms were
| urchased and sent TO Indianapolis. which was
iscovered and OF the leading men were charged
| 18th the design TO the members Of the order for
reasonable purposes Treachery showed itself at Louis
Tile Judge Bullet and DR.. Kalfus were arrested and
az TO Memphis. The day which the great move
| tent was to be made became known to Mr. Mcdonald,
anddate for Governor OF Indiana, and, believing IL
,oud mar his prospects for election unless prevented,
threatened to expose all the parties engaged unless
| he project was abandoned Thus the day passed by,
nd nothing was done. The Chicago Convention came.
he crowd was immense. The feeling was unanimous
or could be- Sad and that il was
far pander the military feeling as to take Gen. Nc
THE TROUBLES OF TRAITORS.
This nomination. followed, it was, by divers disco
sures aud arrests OF persons who were prominent MEM
bers totally demoralzed the "Sons OF Liberty" The
feeling with the is as strong as ever They are
true and brave and believe are willing and ready but
thew have no leaders The vigilance OF the Administra
ton its large detective force the large bounes paid
for reachery and the respectable men who have yielded
10 the temptation. added to the large military force
stationed IN these States make organization and prepa'
ration almost impossbility. large sum
Of money has been expended in fostering
sa 70 have been to little profit but in reviewing
past do not how it could have been avoided, nor
Of the enemy caused him TO bring back and keep
from the field front at least 5000 men to watch ana
hrowbeat the people home In this view OF the SUD
ect the amount Of money has ehected SO mueh III
other quarter since b te ~ oe of Cen FORESTS
command made his escape from prison He represented
naVy sept him around the lakes with instructions to
20 as lower deck passenger. To fanarlze hnsei WIN
the strength OF each place, the deposares OF
coal and especially to learn all that ne c0uu ABOUT to
steamer Michigan and devise some plan Tor her cap
ra or destructon This duty he performed very salts
factorily
THE PLOT TO CAPTURE THE MICHIGAN.
He was then instructed TO return and put himself In
communication with the officers of the Michigan and,
feeling his way endeayor to purchase the boat from
i,s oeacers For time he thought he would succeed in
this n he could give the guarantees OF payment OF the
sums stipulated, but by degrees the question was
dropped He asked permission 10 organize iorce 10
hoar5 and take her This was given, ana Acting
STae John Y Beal was sent to him 70 aid
;n the organization and in carrying out the en-,
terprIse. Their plan was welie9neseiy w ana
bald ont tic promise OF success IL mad been pre-
aHsly aseeraned from escaped prisoners from john
son;s island that organization existed among the
on the island for the purpose or surprising the
piard and capturing the island: The presence OF the
,eamer Michigan, which carried IA guns was the only
Obstacle. Secret communications were had py wnich
1bev we're advised the night OF the isth OF Sep
tember attempt TO seize the Michieah WOULD De Msae
The frendest relations with the officers Of the steamer
vas 20 hayee wne drinking with them on board ana at
ven bour Acting Master Bea to appear on boat,
t he ATTAINED for the purpose with sufficient body OF
Copfederate soldiers to board aud take the steamer
sbnnd they eapttIre the steamer cannon shot sent
m JOlQsOQ's Island.