Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
Department of State,
Washington,
November 22, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose an extract
from a communication of the 17th instant, addressed to the department by
his excellency the governor of Vermont, relative to the hostile schemes
of insurgent agents in Canada againstthe United States.
[Page 804]
I must request your lordship to ask the
earnest attention of her Britannic Majesty’s government to the
subject.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, my lord, your obedient
servant,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.
[Extract.]
Governor Smith to Mr. Seward.
Sir. * * * * * * *
Mr. Edmunds informs me that Messrs. Clay, Saunders, and Westcott
(late senator from Florida) still continue to threaten retaliation,
and openly say that they are organized, both in Canada East and
West, and prepared for action. My advices from perfectly reliable
sources are that in their secret conclaves their plans are being
discussed and perfected, and that they threaten that they will
destroy the towns of Burlington and St. Albans within thirty days.
They are cognizant of our movements here for the defence of the
frontier, being informed by their spies how many muskets have been
distributed, and to what towns. There is no movement made of which
they are not informed, as they have spies in every town. The action
of our legislature is reported to them, and they are familiar with
the discussion of every measure which may affect them.
* * * * * * *
I have the honor to be, with high regard, your obedient servant,
J. GREGORY SMITH, Governor of
Vermont.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
