National Republican., 1883-11-09

willing and ready, but they have no lehuors'
Tho vigilance Of the administration its
largo detective force, the large bountics paid
for treachory. and the respectable men who
have yielded TO the temptation, added TO
large military force stationed in those states,
make organization and preparation almost an
impOssibility. A large sum of money has
been expended in fostering aud iurthcring
these operations, and it now seems to hove
been To little profit But in reviewing the
past | do not SEQ how IL could have been
avoided, nor has IL boon spent altogether IN
vain. The apprehensions of the enemy nave
caused him TO bring back and keep from the
field in front at least 6O000men to watch ana
browbcat the people at home. In this view
OF the subject the same amount OF money mas
effected so much in no other quarter since tho
commencement of tho war.
In July last Charles II. Cole, of Gen. For
rests command, made his escape from prison.
lie represented to me that lie had been APP
pointed lieutenant in our navy. l sent
him around the lakes, with instructions to go
rs n lower deck passenger, TO famlliari2o him
self with all the channels and different ap-
proachos to tho several harbOrs, the strength
of zach place, tho repositories of coal, and
especially to learn all that he could about tho
war steamer Michigan, and devise some plan
for her capture or destruction. This duty he
performed very satisfactorily. He was then
instructed TO return aBd put himself in COM
munication with the officers of the Michigan,
and feeling his way to cndcavor to pur-
chase the boat from its officers For
time he thought he would succeed
in this if he could give the guaran-
tees of payment of tho sums stipulated,
but by degrees the question was dropped, and
he asked permission TO organize force
aboard aud take her. This was given, aud
Acting Master John y. Bcall was sent him to
aid in tho organization and in carrying out
the enterprise Their plan was well con-
ceivod and held out the promise of success. 1t
had been previously ascCrtancd from cs-
capped prisoners from Johnson's island that
an organization existed among tho prisoners
on the island for the purpose of surprising
tho guard and capturing the island. Tho
presence of the steamer Michigan, which car
red fourteen guns, was the only obstacle.
Secret communications were had by which
they were advised that on the night of the
ninctceth of September an attempt to seize tho
Michigan would be made. On that night
Capt Cole, who had previously established the
frondliest relations with the officers of the
steamer, was to have wine drinking with
them on board, and at a given hour Acting
Master Bcall was to appear ona boat, to be
obtained for that purpose, with sufficient
body of confederate soldiers to board and take
the steamer. Should thoy capture the
steamer, n cannon shot sent through the Off
GERS quarters on Johnson's island was to sig
release had come Should they talSo tho is
land, boats were to be improvised, and San
dusky was to be attacked; If taken, the priS-
oners were to be mounted and make for
Cleveland, the boats cooperating, and from
Cleveland the prisoners wore to mako Wheel
ing, and thence to Virginia. Tho key to the
whole movement was the capture of the
Michigan. On tho evening of the nineteenth,
by some troachery, Cole was arrested, and tho
messenger who was to meet Acting Master
Beall ut Kellys island did not reach him; dis
appointed, but nothing daunted, Acting Master
Beall having possession of the Philo Parsons,
passenger steamer from Detroit to Sandusky,
went on his way toward Johnson's island.
Having landed at Middle Bas island to secure
supply Of wood, the steamer Island Queen,
with largo number of passengers and thirty
two soldiers, came up alongside and lashed
herself to tho Parsons An attack was at
once resolved upon. Tho passengers aud
soldiers were soon made prisoners and tho
beat delivered up to our mem Tho soldiers
wcre regularly Iaroled, the ,ra ssengcrs were
LEFT on the island, having given their promise
not TO leave for twepty- -four hours, and the
Boat was tOwCd out into the lake and sunk.
lh1 Parsons was tEbn steored directly for tho
bay Of Siandusky. Hero tho mon, from GER
tain iclSops not altogether satisfactory, but
IoH,bIy fortunately, refused to make tho
altngk I'm the Michigan. BeGll returned,
landed q sandwich, Q. W., and the men scat.
i"rrl through the country. Most of them re-.
tuln"i 10 the confederate states but few
day SINCE Acting Master Bonnet G. Burley
was arrested, and tho trial is now going on
for his delivery under the eXtradition
treaty. II we had Coles Bcalls, or
his own commission, l should not fear
the result; as 1t is, they will have TO prove
that they acted under my order, and they will
in all probability secure his release, but IL
may lead to my expulsion from the provinces.
At least, | have it from q reliable source that
this last proposition has been pressed upon
the Canadian authorities, and thoy have con-
sdcrcd it. Should the course Of events take
this direction, unadvised by you, shall COLI
slider it my duty to remain where | nm and
abide the issue. ! should prefer, if IL be pos
sihlc, to have your views on tine subject. Capt
Cole is still prisoner on Johnson'5 island. In
obedience to your suggestion, as far rs it was
practicable, soon after my arrival here ! urged
the people in tho north TO convert theiI paper
money into gold and withdraw 1t from the
market. l am satisfied this policy was
adopted and carried into effect TO somt
extent, but how extensively l an
unable to state, What effect ii
had onthe gold market it is impos
sible to estimate, but certain it is that
gold continued to appreciate until 1t went Il
29O. The high price may have tempted many
to change their policy, because aiterward
gold fell in the market TO $50. When it was
about $50, aud expectation of gold was "a
small that there appeared TO ho but little oi
no demand for it, Mr. John Porterfeld. for
merly banker in Nashville, but now resi-.
dent of Montreal, was furnished with $780,
600 and instructed to proceed to New York tC
carry out n financial policy of his own con-
ception, which consisted in the purchase o.
gold and exporting the samc, selling it fol
sterling bills Of exchange, and then again
converting his exchange into gold, This
process involved certain lOss--thc cost o.
trans.shipment lie was instructed by Mr.
Clay and myself to 90 on with his policy
until he had expended $25 5000, with which hC
supposed he would ship directly $j,0000Ot
and induce others to ship more, and then, il
the effect upon the gold market was not very
perceptble, he was TO dcsist and return
to Canada and restore the money uncXpendod
by his last report he had caused tho shipment
of more than two millions of gold at an OK
pense Of less than $4,000, but 1t seems that {
Mr.. Lyons, who had been former partner o
Porterileld, who was arrested by Gen. Butlo
on the ground that he was exporting gold
ard although Mr.. Lyons had no connection
with Mr.. Portcrfeld in his transactions, yo
he thought it prudent to return to Canada
and while he retains the uueXponded balanc
of the $4,000 to carry out his instructions, H.
has restored $4,000. l must confess that tn
first shipment had marked effect on tn
market. / am inclined to the opinion tina
his theory will work great damage and dis
trust to the federal finances If vigorously fol
lowed up, and If no untoward circumstance
should interfere with the operation.
Soon after 1 reachcd Canada IL Mr. Mino