The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-08-01

means of clock work machines tha
were to be placed in several OF tn,
large hotels and places of amuse
: ment, particularly in Barnum'
Museum in New York, and to bC
set off simultaneously, so that The
fire department in each place woulc
be unable to attend TO the grea
number of calls that would be made
upon it, on account of these Con
iederate conhagrations in so many
different quarters, and thus these
cities might be greatly damaged, OF
even destroyed.
This despatch was duly sealed uE
again and was taken to Richmond,
and confidential officer was at once
sent to New York to warn General
| Dix, who was in command there, OF
the Confederate project. The Gen.
eral was very unwilling to believe
that any such designs could be SER
iously entertained, and Mr.. John A.
Kennedy, then superintendent of
police, was equally incredulous.
But the Secretary of War twas per-
emptory in his orders, and when the
day ofthe incendiary attempt arrived
both the military and the police
made evey preparation to prevent
the threatened catastrophe.
The officer who came from Wash
ington was lode ed in the St. Nicho-
las Hotel, one of the large establish,
ments tat were to be set on fife,
and while he was washing his hands
IN the e' enlng preparatory to going
to dinner, fire began burning in the
room next to his 1t was promptly
put out, and was found to be caused
by clock work apparatus which
had been left in that room by
lodger who had departed some
hours before. In every instance
these fires were extinguished without
exciting any considerable public
attention, thanks to the precautions
that had been taken in consequence
OF the warning derived from Mr..
Clay's despatch to Mr.. Benjamin in
Richm ond. The plan of setting
fire to Chicago proved even more
abortive-I do not remember that
any report of actual burning was
received from there.
THE VERMONT EXPEDITION.
Later in the Fall, after the mill
tary operations had substantially
terminated for the season, a despatch
was brought from Canada s;gned by
Mr.. Clay and addressed to Mr..
Benjamin, as Secretary of State in
the Confederate Government, con-
veying the information that new
and really formidable military ex-
pedition against nothern Vermont,
particularly against Burlington, if |
am not mistaken, had been organl-
zed and fitted out in Canada, and
would make It's attack as soon as
practicable This was after the
well known attempt upon St.
Adams and Lake Champlain, and
promised to be much more injurious.
The despatch reached Washington
one Sunday morning and was
brought to the War Department as
usual, but its importance in the eyes
OF the Confederate agents had led to
its being prepared for transportation
with uncommon care. 1t was placed
between two thickness OF the pair of
re enforced calvary trousers which
the messenger wore, and sewed up
so that when he was mounted it was
he'd between his thigh and the
saddle.
Having been carefully ripped out
and opened, it was Immediately
carried TO Mr.. Stanton, who was
confined to his house by a cold.
He read it. This is serious" he
said GO over to the White House
and ask the Preident to come here"
Mr.. Lincoln was found dressing to
go to church, and he was soon
driven to Mr.. Stanton's house.
Alter discussing the subject in every
aspect, and considering Thoroughly
the probability that to keep the
despatch would put an end to com
nun cations by this channel, they
determined that it must be kept.
The conclusive reason for this
step was that it established beyond
question the fact the Confederates,
while sheltering themselves behind
the British Government in Canada,
had organized and fitted out a military
expedition against the United States
But while the despatch afforded evil
dence that would not be gainsaid,
the mere possession of it was not
sufficient. 1t must be found in the
possession Of the Confederate des-
patch bearer, and the circumstances
attending its capture must be estab-
lished in such manner that the
British Foreign Office would not be
able to dispute the genulneness OF
the document.
Owe must have this paper for
Seward" said Mr.. Lincoln. "As
for the young man, get him out of
the scrape, if you can."
SEEING THE SPY.
Accordingly the paper was taken
back to the War Department, and
sewed up again in the trousers
whence it had been taken three
hours before. The bearer Was in
structed to start at dusk on the road
which he usually took in passing
through the lines; to be at a certain