The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-16
CAPSTON'S SPECIAL MISSION
Letter Of The Secretary Of State De-
filming His Duties,
TO CUT OFF The RECRUIT SUPPLY.
CANTON Is Given That Though N''''''
Must Be Maintained, III f"s''oio'
Everything Must he carrie"
outina nm Honorable way

The letter published below Is soli-eN'
planatory. and is a copy from the o''s'""
letter. which belongs TO Mr. ;. J.. he'iey'
Of this city. who was administrators LOT
Lieutenant Capstons estate, and found
The document among the papers oil the oc-
ceased when a settlement was MADE
Dept Of State.
Richmond July 3. 1865.
sir-You have ia accordance WIN sou
,ronosal made 10 this department pc"
detailed by the Secretary Of N"I '0'
special service under my orders
The duty which 30 Is piopos'u 10
trust 10 YOU is that of "A private anu 0"l'-
0aential agent OF this government. 10,
,bc nurpose Of proceeding 10 ireland anu
,hcre using AN Legitimate means 10 en-
Tighten the population as 10 inc ""' 10
,,,re and character Of the contest hoN
waved I'm this continent. with the 'icN
of defeating the attempts maze ~ ''0
agents OF the United states 10 OBTAIN :"
Ireland recruits for their armies. IL u
'.,,i--st,,d that under the guise OF as
elettn,- needy persons to cmigrate. res
mar organization has been formed OF
arents in ireland who leave untred no
method OF dcccvlng the lanorlhs popuia-
lion into emigratlng for the estehSinie
rurpose OF seeking employment ID the
tinted States. but really for recruiting
the Federal armies.
TO USE HONORABLE MEANS.
Tho means TO Doe used by you can
scarcely be suggested from this side, but
they are TO be confined TO such as are
strictly legitimate honorable. and proper.
We rely on truth and justice alone. Ihrow
Yourself as much as possible into close
communication with The people where the
agents Of our enemies are nj WORK IN
form them by every means you can ue-
wise Of the true purpose of those VINO seen
10 induce them 10 cmigrate. Explain 10
them the nature OF the warfare Which Is
carried on here Picture TO them Inc
fate Of their unhappy countfymcn VINO
have already fallen victims 10 Inc arts OF
the Fcdcrals. Relate 90 them the story
Of MeaCher's Brigade, its formation anu
Its fate Explain 10 them that they VIII
he called on TO meet lrishmcn i'm battle,
and thus 10 imhrue their hands III the
blood OF their own friends, and perhaps
kinsmon. iu quarrel which does not con
Germ Them and I'm which all the feelings
Of a common humanity should induce
them TO refuse taking part against US.
contrast the policy Of the Federal and
Confederate States In former times IN
their treatment of foreigners, In orier TO
satisfy Irishmcn whore true sympathy
I'm their favor was found IN periods or
trial. At the Norm the hllbN --N'iilih-
party. based on hatred To foreigners and
especially to Catholics. was triumphant
in its career I'm fhe South IL was crushed,
Virginia taking the lead In trampling il
under foot I'm this war such has been the
hatred Of the New England Puritans 10
Irishmen and Catholics that In several in
stances the chapels and places OF wor-
ship OF the Irish Catholics have been
burnt or shamcfuliy dcsocratol bv the
al AnNy
land These facts have been published i'm
Northern papers. Take the New York
Freeman's journal. and you will see
shocking details. not coming from Conicd-
crate sources. hut from the officers of the
United States themselves.
SHOW THEM UP.
Lay all these matters fully before tho
people who are now called on 10 join these
forociOus prosecutors I'm the destruction
of this nation. where all religions and all
nationalites meet equal justice and pro
lection both from the people and the
laws.
These views may be urged 10y any proper
means YOU can devise, through the press;
ly mixing with the people themselves.
and by disseminating the facts amongst
persons who have influence with the
people.
The laws Of England must be strictly
dence dictates tha5 you should not re-
veal your agency nor the purposes for
which you go abroad. il is not desired nor
expected that you use any dishonest dis
gulse or false prctcnces. Your mission IS.
although secret honorable, and the means
employed must bee such as this govern
nent may fearlessy ayOw and openly
Justify, If your conduct should ever be
called into question. on this point there
must be no room whatever for doubt or
cayil.
As TO COMPENSATION.
The government expects much from
your zeal. activity and discretion. You
Will be furnished with letters OF intro
duction 10 our agent abroad. You will
receive the same pay as you now get as
first lieutenant of cavalry. namely, TWEEN
ty-one pounds per month. being about
equal 20 one hundred dollars. Your pas
sage TO and from Europe will be provided
by this department. If YOU need any
small sums for disbursements of expenses
connected with your duties. such as cost
OF printing and the like. you W.. apply
10 the agent TO whom / give YOU a letter.
and who will provide the funds, il he APP
proves the expenditure.
You will report your proceedings 10 this
department through the agent to whom
your letter OF Introduction is addressed,
as often an least as once a month
i am. sir respectfully.
Your obedicnt servant
J. II. BENJAMIN.
Secretary % State.
Lieut. j. l.. Capston etc. etc. ect