The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-10-27

least nave II from reIlaOle source
that this last proposition has been
pressed upon the Canadian authorities,
and they have considered it. Should
the course of events take this di.
rection, unadvised by you, l should
consider it my duty to remain where ]
am and abide the issue. / should pre-,
fer, if it be possible, to have your view:
on the subject. Capt. Cole is still a
prisoner on Johnson's Island.
THE PLOT TO RAISE THE PRICE OF GOLD
In obedience to your suggestions, a.
far as it was practicable, soon after my
arrival here, 1 urged the people in the
North to convert their paper money
into gold and withdraw it from the
market. l am satisfied this policy wa:
adopted and carried out to some ex
tent, but how extensively l auf unable
to state. What effect it had OF the
gold market it is impossible to estimate,
but certain it is that gold continued
to appreciate until il went to 290. The
high price may have tempted many
to change their policy, because after
ward the gold fell in the market to $50
whl it was about $50, and expectation
of gold was so small that there ap
peared to be but little or no demand
for it. Mr.. John Poteriield, formerly
a banker in Nashville, bat now a resi-
dent of Montreal was furnished with
800, 600, and instructed to proceed tC
New York to carry out financial pol
icy of his own conception, which con.
sisted in purchase of gold and export
ing the same, selling it for sterling bill:
OF exchange, and then again convert
ing his exchange into gold. This pro
cess involved a certain loss, tn. cost OF
trans-shipment. He was instructed by
Mr.. Clay and myself to go on with bis
policy until he had expended S25, ,00C
with which he supposed he would ship
directly SIS, 900, 600, and indcce Others
to ship much more, and then, if the
effect upon the gold market was not
very perceptible ,he..was to desist and re
turn to Canada, and restore the money
unexpended. BY his last report he had
caused the shipment of more than s.,
600, 600 of gold, at an expense of less
than $4,000; but it seems that a Mr..
Lyons, vino had been a former partner
OF Porterfield, was arrested by General
Butler, on the ground that he was ex-
porting gold; and, although Mr.. Lyons
had nc connection with Mr.. Porterfield
in this matter, yet he thought it pru-
dent to return. to Canada, and, while
he retains the unexpended balance OF
S25, 900 to carry out his instructions,
he has restored S75, ,000- l must con-
fess that the first shipment had a
marked effect On the market. l am
inclined to the opinion that his theory
will work great damage and distrust in
the Federal finances, if vigorously fol
lowed up, and if no untoward circum
stances should interfere with the ope
ration.
THE PLOT TO BURN STEAMERS ON THE
MISSISSIPPI.
Soon after l reached Canada, a Mr.
Minor Major visited me, and repre-
sented himself as an accredited agent
from the Confederate State 60 destroy
steamboats, on the Mississippi River,
for want of means. | advanced to him
g, 600 in Federal currency, and soon
afterward several boats were burned at
st. Louis, involving an immense loss
of property to the enemy. He became
suspected, as he represented to me, of
being the author of this burning, and
from that time both he and his men
have been hidden, and consequently
have done nothing.
THE PLOT TO BURN CINCINNATI.
Money has been advanced to Mr..
Churchill, of Cincinnati, to organize a
corps for the purpose OF incendiarism
in that City. l consider MIN a true
man, and although as yet he has eff
fected but little, am in constant ex-
of hearing of effective
work in that quarter.
THE PLOT TO RRLEAsE THE PRISONERS
AT CAMP DOUGLAS.
Previous to arrival of Lieut.. Col
Martin aud Lieut.. Headley, bringing
IN unsigned note from you, all the diff
ferent places here our prisoners are
Camp Douglas, Rock Island,
Camp Morton, Camp Chase, EiInira-
lad been thoroughly examined, and
he conclusion forced upon us that all
Efforts to release them without an out
'ids co operation would bring disaster
lpon the prisoners and result in no
rood. All projects of that sort were
except that at Camp
Douglas, where Capt. Hines still be
ieved he could effect their release.
We yielded to his firmness, zeal and
and his plans were plausi-
Die; but treachery defeated him before
lis well-laid schemes were developed
rHR POT To BURN NEW YORK CITY
Having nothing else on hand Col.
Martin expressed q wish to organize a
.orps to burn New York City. He
vas allowed to do so, and a most dar-
ng attempt has been made TO fire that
ity; but their reliance on the Greek
Ire has proved misfortune. 1t can
lot be depended on asan agent in such
vork. have no faith whatever in it,
nd no attempt shall hereafter be
made under my general directions
nth any such materials.
1 knew nothing whatever Of the raid
n st. Adams until after it transpired.
HR PURCHASE OF -HR STEAMER GEoR
CLAN.
Desiring to have a boat on whose
'aptain and crew reliance could be ;
laced and On board of which arms
ould be sent to convenient points for
rming such vessels as could be seized |
,r operations on the Lakes, | aided /
'r. Jas. T. Bates, of Kentucky, an :
Id steamboat captain, in the pur- :
nase of the steamer Georgian. She
"A sca-ceIr heen transferred when