The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-11-22
JEFF SPEAKS AGAIN,
The Northern Conspiracy to Release Cor
federate Prisoners,

federate PrtSoneFs-
CLEVELAND, o., Nov, 2O.-Mr, Manly
Tsllo, Canadian representative Of the
ConlederaCy during the war, at present
editor oI the Catholic Universe, Of this city,
addresses an open letter, to bs published
in to.mOHow's Plain Dealer, to the editors
Of the BigOuac, published in Louisville,
relative to the proposed publication in
that magazine Of papers relating to the
Northwestern conspiracy during tho war
OF the rebellion. Mr.. Tello, in his card,
begs to differ with the editor OF the
BiFouac as To the prudence OF the an.
nounCed disclosures, or their iusIlcs, II
they assume the dimensions outlined,
With this end in view he wrote to Jeffsr.
son Davis on the subject and submits the
answer received;
BEAuvoIR, Miss, Nov, II, 1885,
Manly TsllO RG,'
DEAR SIR;-YouEs OF the S;h has been
received, aud fully concur in your opln,
ion as to the lmpFopriety OF publishing
the correspondence OF our Northwestern
friends with the Conlederates who held
intercourse with them. Though their
conduct in resisting sectional pressure and
etEiyIng 10 check fraternal strife aud dis
n the unconstitutional cosTv
Clon Of the Southern States was most
pTAlaeworthy, the exposure at this day
OF thsse efforts could not fail TO be ipjurI-
Gus 10 them, In taking the hszards they
encountered they, Of C0urse, relied upon
the good faith OF the Contsderates with
whom they held intercourse, and ! do not
think there is any higher obligation upon
our people than to shisld those gallant
sympslhzars as best they may from
harm.
As for myself and those who cc-opera.
ted with me, have no wish to avoid dis,
olosureP, We had learned that our men
in Northern prisons were suHarlug inhu.
man treatment, and often times done to
death inCold blood. Oar effort 10 llber-
ate them was duty, to neglect which
would have been o shame. While, there.
fore, we may claim no credit for our con-
duet in that connection, We certainly have
no motive for Wlahiug to couceal it, and
the only regret Herewith connected Is the
secriaCeot brave men tnRsged In the at.
tempt and the want ol success which at.
tended their efforts.
Without knowing the scope OF the new
publication, / can only say that | trust II
will not lead to revelations against our
Northwestern friends who magnanlmous.
ly came 10 our aid In our hour Of need,
and as for the rest, ! can haYo no wish to
TO suppress the narration oi gallant deeds
done by the Conicderates for the relief Of
their imprisoned comrades, and hope
there Is nothing to be told OF them which
thOy are not willing to Rvow.
Ever faithfully yours,
JRRFERsoN DAVIS.
Mr.. Tellos letter closes as follows, "Is
10, perhaps, proper to add that the writer
did some duty as . Confederate in Canada;
that personally he has no Confederate
record that he in tho least regrets the
contrary, or that he requires the slightest
apology. His line OF correction Is one
competent to any Confederate TO make,
and lnds lie best and highest expression
In tue letter ai Mr.. DAyls, lie would also
kindly suggest to the editors Of the Bir0udc
that uJoR haFSunnn Alatpa u,aa n NJ Vahallfaa