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 NATIONAL CAPITOL, 
 
 THE 
 
 NATIONAL ARCHIVES, 
 
 AND THE 
 
 NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, 
 
 SA^VED 
 
 ^y 
 
 J^^lNUA^RY, 1861. 
 
 WASHINGTON 
 
 1865. 
 
the: 
 
 NATIONAL CAPITOL, 
 
 THE 
 
 NATIONAL ARCHIVES, 
 
 AND THE 
 
 NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, 
 
 JA-NTIJ^lEirsr, 1861. 
 
 WASHINGTON 
 
 1866. 
 
%' 
 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 Lidepeadence^ Ma.^ Nov, -30, 1855- 
 Georqe B. Simpson, Esq., 
 
 Dear Sir ; 
 
 ♦ * * * * * * * 
 
 We have no news of interest, except tkat we are about to 
 kave a border war with the 3'ankee abolitionists, in Kansas; 
 both parties are armed. 
 
 The MissGiirians are leaving daily to assist the pro slavery 
 party. We are lookingr to hearing of a battle every hour. 
 
 * * * " * * * * * 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed) SAMUEL D. LUCAS. 
 
 Lower Cascades, Columbia Rlccr, W, T., Feb. 7, 1856. 
 Oenl. Samuel D. Lucas, Independence, Mo. 
 
 Dear Sir 1 Your brief note of Kovember SOth ultim© 
 reached me on the 5tk inst. 
 
 The border difficulties of which you speak were foreseen 
 by myself k^ng before the passage of Douglass' bill. 
 
 The result that has followed the removal of the Missouri 
 restriction was inevitable. 
 
 The passage of that att I regarded as a second declaration 
 of equal rights, removing every restriction, and inviting the 
 two extremes of the Union to an open iiekl, in a fair contest 
 for civil supremacy. 
 
 Excitement, more from/mr than from reason, brought the 
 heated factions of the two 'extremes into close proximity, and 
 violence became inevitable. 
 
 I deeply regret the conflict of arms, the sacrifice of human 
 life, and the stain that attaches to the virgin soil of Kansas, 
 by an appeal to brute force instead of human reason. I sin- 
 .cerely hope the evils of civil war may be avoided, on the 
 
iecond sober thought of the people, by taking that common 
 sense view of the ease which an enlightened world must take, 
 and resign themselves to the dictates of reason, the suprema-: 
 cy of the civil law, and tlie Constitution. 
 
 Nothing can be gained by an appeal to arms ; the Xorth 
 will loose its citizens and the South its institution; the numeri- 
 cal strength of the North is as three to one. How can the 
 South expect to stand before such an array of physical force, 
 with a dangerous servile population of three millions in its 
 midst? Suppose an appeal to arms be made; the South 
 musters into the field an army of one million of men, the 
 North an equal opposing force, and a contiict destroys each 
 army ! The North has yet in reserve a population of fifteen 
 millions of souls, with which it may abolish slavery, overrun 
 the South, and maintain inviolate that sacred compact, the 
 Confederation of tlicse States — the Constitution — the Union. 
 
 The South has all to loose, the North all to gain. 
 
 No, strike not the blow, the ties that bind the Union can- 
 not be severed ; on the other hand, every blow but dulls the 
 steel, while each resounding stroke rebounds with redoubled 
 force, inflicting fresh wounds on the body politic, in each di- 
 vision of the Union. My voice is for peace. Let not this 
 great Republic divide against itself, but stand forth in bold 
 relief and solid phalanx against the world, battling for Right, 
 with reason inscribed upon her banner. Let the Eagle and 
 the Banner be the watch-words of the people, while Liberty 
 tauspends the scales of justice in which is poised equal laws 
 and equal representation, guarded by the lielmet of truth, 
 and illumined by the light of intelligence. 
 
 Let not the people be swayed by interest or passion ; rather, 
 let them move steadily forward with that high and noble 
 bearing so characteristic of the Father of the Republic, and 
 80 eminently worthy of imitation. Then, indeed, will 
 America advance towards the accomplishment of that high 
 and glorious destiny that awaits her in the] future. Then 
 may it be the pride and boast of every American, as it was 
 with the ancient Roman, to exclaim, / am an American citi- 
 zen! Behold that beautiful galaxy of States, coufederated 
 by the fraternal ties of a common brotherhood, developed 
 and perpetuated l)y the universal intelligence of the people — 
 this is my home. O Liberty, how beautiful are thy garments! 
 Thy ways are ways of pleasantness and all thy paths are 
 
 PFACE * * * * * * « 
 
 Your friend and obedient servant, 
 
 GEO. B. SIMPSON. 
 
Waiihimjlon OiUj, D. ('., December 30//', 1860. 
 
 His Excellency, James Buchanan, 
 
 " President of the United States. 
 
 Sir: Advice unasked is seldom lieeded; still, it is not 
 unfrequently the wisest and safest to follow, as it is usually 
 disinterested. 
 
 About four years ago I apprized you of the near approach 
 of the events now transpiring in our midst, adverting to your 
 personal safety in the following emphatic language : 
 
 " Your stomach has already tasted the ])oison, your throat may 
 yet feel the knife of this iniquitous inquisition" 
 
 The " Constitution" newspaper of this morning informs ua 
 of the resignation of Secretary Floyd, and the probable res- 
 ignation of Secretaries Thompson and Thomas. 
 
 This event, in my humble judgment is the most fortuitous 
 that could have happened, as it leaves yow free to act. Call to 
 your aid immediately Lieut. General Winfield Scott as Sec- 
 retary of War, Hon. Daniel S. Dickenson of ]^ew York, as 
 Secretary of the Interior, and Hon. James Guthrie of Ken- 
 tucky, as Secsetary of the Treasury. 
 
 This will enable you to defeat the enemies of our Government and 
 preserve the Federal Union. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 GEO. B. SIMPSON. 
 
 Washinyton, D. C, January 2, 1861. 
 Hon. Mr. McPherson, 
 
 Sir: If you will extend your inquiries back to 1850, you 
 will find that in 1853, the Hon. Jefferson Davis, then Secre- 
 tary of War, ordered the Government arms and munitions of 
 war from Fort Hall, in Oregon Territory, to be conveyed to 
 Salt Lake City, and sold to Brigham Young ; in the same 
 year he also ordered a large sale of muskets, rifles, sabres, 
 swords, pistols, and other Government arms in St. Louis, Mo., 
 all of which were purchased by the agents of Brigham Young. 
 
 You will also find that the aforesaid Honorable (?) gentle- 
 man is the leader of the present disunion movement in the 
 South, and that he has been plotting, planning, and arming 
 not only the 3Iormons but the people of the slave States for 
 at least twehc years, and that he, with the other enemies of 
 our government are determined to break it up if they can. 
 
 But inquire into his conduct when Secretary of War under 
 President Pierce, and you will get information of importance. 
 
 GEO. B. SIMPSON. 
 
6 
 
 Wa^hoigton Oty, D, <"., Jcuniar^ 23, 1861. 
 
 Hon. John A. Drx, 
 
 Secretary of the Treasury. 
 
 Sir: ISTot knowing wliether the subjoined communication 
 has been submitted to the President, therefore, I deem it my 
 duty to place a copy in your hands, belicvini? the public ex- 
 igencies to be a sufficient apology for so doing. 
 
 Very respectful^, your obedient servant, 
 
 GEO. B. SIMPSO^T. 
 
 Washinyton Ciiy, D. C, January 13, 1861. . 
 Charles Fowler, Esq. 
 
 Sir : In accordance with my promise I hercwitli submit 
 the progranmie of the secessionists per se which has been in 
 process of maturing since the death of the lion. John C. Cal- 
 houn. 
 
 1 informed the President and his cabinet of the conspiracy 
 in 1856 ; in 1857 I pressed the matter upon Mr. Buchanan 
 and his Cabinet, which was the main cause of inducing the 
 President to move a detachment of the United States Army 
 against the rebellious Mormons ; in my intercourse with the 
 P'resident on that occasion, I made use of the following em- 
 phatic language, to wit : " The danger is not in Utah, it is in this 
 Capitol — remember the fate of CcBsar — your stomach has already 
 tasted the jJoison, your throat way yet feel the knife of this iniquitous 
 inquisition." 
 
 Recent events prove all I then foreshadowed; and yet 
 more recent events disclose the alarming fact that the con- 
 spirators designed to coerce the President to resign his office, 
 that the executive government might devolve on the Vice 
 President, who it is stated is pledged to the conspirators to ac- 
 knowledge the Constitutional right of}<cccssion, thus gi\'ing to the 
 whole southern movement the weight and influence of execu- 
 tive sanction. This accomplished, they are then to seize the 
 Federal Capitol, and on the 4th of March 1861, inaugurate 
 John C. Breckenridge I'resident, and Gen'l Joseph Lane 
 Vice President of the Southern Confederacy. 
 
 When it was ascertained that they could not coerce the 
 President into resignation, it was determined in secret con- 
 clave to assassinate him prior to the 5th of February, 1861 : 
 twhich will give them time to inaugurate their confederacy. 
 
a>iih the sanction of President Breckeicridge^ prior to the consti- 
 tutional inauguration of tlie President elect. 
 
 The Hon. Jetierson Davis is the leader of the whole south- 
 ern incrvement. In 1853, while Secretary of War under 
 President Pierce, he ordered all the arms, ammunition, and 
 military stores at Fort HalU then in Oregon Territory, to be 
 transported to Great Salt Lake City, and sold to Brigham 
 Young. This was done by Capt. Brent, of the U. S. Army. 
 
 In the city of St. Louis, Alissouri, in the same year^ an un- 
 usual number of yagers, rifles, sabres, swords, &c., &c.,were 
 also sold to the agents of Brigham Young, by order of Jef- 
 ferson Davis, then Secretary of War, all of whicli were trans- 
 ported to Utah in 1855 ; and in 1856, King Young was pre- 
 pared for war and openly defied the Federal Government. 
 
 Thus you will perceive that the Federal Government has 
 been prostituted to purposes contemplating its own destruc- 
 tion by its own accredited ministers ! and, this Honorable 
 Senator from Mississippi not only armed the Mormons at the 
 expense of the Federal Government, but be has armed all 
 the cotton slave States, hence it is, that they too are now 
 ready and prepared for rebellion. 
 
 The safety of the Federal Government now depends on the- 
 life of President Buchanan; if his life can be preserved till 
 the executive government can be transferred to the in-coming' 
 administration, we may escape civil war and revolution ; but 
 should President Bucbanan and Lieut. General Scott be as- 
 sassinated as is contemplated by the secret conclaves of mid-' 
 night assassins, prior to the 5th of February, 1861, our beau-- 
 tiful Washington will immediately fall into the hands of the 
 enemies of our government, and the most fearful consequen- 
 ces will follow — in all probability the public buildings will be 
 destroyed, as well as the government archives, that the evi-- 
 dence of their crimes perpetrated in the name and under the- 
 sacred garb of law may be obliterated in the general wreck. 
 
 I have much proof in my possession of the facts hereii> 
 stated, and if an opportunity were offered whereby I eould 
 give expression to them, I would gladly embrace it. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 GEO. B. SIMPSON. 
 
 1 may add by way of postscript that the enemies of our 
 government openly boast of having two hundred thousand men 
 pledged to their cause in the free States, whose business it 
 will be in the event of a collision between the Federal an<S 
 State Governments, to destroy railroads, telegraphs, eteawi-- 
 
8 
 
 Loais, canals, unci other public convejauces, and, if need be^ 
 to burn arsenals, dock-yards, magazines, and even cities I — in 
 a word, to interpose every obstacle to the Fedei-al Govern- 
 ment that evil geniusses can invent. 
 
 G. B. S. 
 
 Washington City, I). C, January 23, 1861. 
 
 Kow, in connection with the foregoing, I am able to state 
 further, that the disunion military organizations in this city 
 now number between one and two thousand men ; that they 
 are constantly enrolling members ; that they drill them in the 
 open streets at night; and that it is their ^.r«/ purpose to 
 march in bodies of from one hundred to three hundred mefi 
 and take possession of all the public buildings on a nif/ht also 
 Jixcd, between the hours of twelve and five, a. m. ; so that, on 
 the morning following the contemplated seizure of the pub- 
 lic buildings and consequently the Federal Capitol, the citi- 
 zens will awake to the surprise of beholding the public build- 
 ings converted into forts and their now apparently peaceful 
 city bristling with the bayonets of citizen soldiary. 
 
 On the announcementby telegraph of this event, the disun- 
 ionists 2?cr se and their sympathisers in Virginia and Maryland 
 are to rush immediately to the relief of the insurgents and 
 thus hold the Federal Capitol. 
 
 Now, Mr. Secretar}', I ask in all candor, if there is any pow- 
 er in this Government to prevent the consummation of this 
 design ? I have made this statement of facts with the view, if 
 possible, that the Government may take such steps as shall 
 avert the threatened catastrophe. 
 
 By the loth of next month the issue will probably be de- 
 cided. 
 
 Hoping you will pardon the liberty I huve taken, T may 
 eubscribe myself 3'our very humble. 
 
 And obedient servant, 
 
 GEO. B. SIMPSON. 
 
 Fifth Auditor's Office. 
 
 Washington, May 9th, 1861. 
 Hon. John A. Dix, 
 
 Sir : I desire to call your attention to a communication I 
 had the honor of eubraitting to you on or about the 15th of 
 January last. 
 
9 
 
 In view of the present aspect of public afi'airs I cannot tod' 
 forcibly impress upon your mind the truths set forth in the 
 P. S. to that communication. Rest assured, my dear sir, that 
 there are conspirators in the free States, and so soon as the 
 Federal Government shall commence active operations in the 
 field, so soon will the traitors in the free States commence 
 burning our armories, powder magazines, navy yards, arse- 
 nals, railroad bridges, steamboats, telegraphs, towns, and 
 cities : in a word, they will not scruple at destroying life and 
 property by any available means known to fiends and de- 
 mons ; therefore, I would again urge upon you and through 
 you the people of the free States, the absolute necessity of 
 the most untiring vigilence. Look well to your armories, 
 powder magazines, railroad bridges, public ware houses, &c. 
 Allow none but loyal citizens to stand guard during theso 
 times. 
 
 I have a letter which would probably give you a clue to 
 conspirators in New York city. If advisable, will send you 
 a copy. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 GEO. B. SIMPSON. 
 
 New Yoke, 31ay 12, 1861. 
 Geo. B. Simpson, Esq. 
 
 Dear Sir : If convenient, would you be kind enough to 
 send me a copy of the letter to which you refer. 
 
 I am, dear sir, yours very truly, 
 (Signed) JOHN A- DIX. 
 
 Washington GUj, D. C, May Ibih, 1861. 
 Hon. John A. Bix : 
 
 Sir : Your note of the 12th of May inst. requesting copy 
 of a letter referred to in a former note from me has been r©» 
 ceived. 
 
 The letter to which I referred is dated, 
 
 " 2 , N. Y., Apnl m, 1860." 
 
 The portion to which I specially referred, is as follows : 
 
 " I expect to see the people hang them (Greely, Seward, 
 and Co.,) as traitors before two years. There is a bitterness 
 here now between the two parties, that makes them look at 
 
 2 
 
10 
 
 fiach other with blood-shot .eyes. The next canvass will be 
 one of life and death. The Fanatics are paving the way, and 
 threatening and brandishing their arms on every occasion. 
 A littto blood-letting will do them good and we are hoping 
 for ii. Let it beginin Washington and there will not be a 
 fiiiiutic in this city in two hours after. There are two hundred 
 of them marked. The negro thief, Lovejoy, is not so safe 
 as he thinks for in this our land. There is a silent determined 
 o'-qanization of s here that is terrible to think of, and mat- 
 ters are suggested more shocking than the JF^^ench revolution." 
 
 (Signed,) . 
 
 These gentlemen, Col. , Doctor 
 
 and other Virginia and southern 
 
 men were at the head of this organization ; and, from 
 
 what has since transpired, I deem it but my duty to place 
 these facts in your hands. 
 
 The following is my reply : 
 
 Washington n. a, April 18th, 18&0. 
 Col. : 
 
 My dear Sir : Your apology was abundantly satisfactory. 
 In regard to the Charleston Convention, you will probably 
 be disappointed in its action : its nominee may not have been 
 yet named by the public press. 
 
 In regard to the determined future action of individuals, 
 in certain contingencies, I entertain no serious apprehension ; 
 I regret to learn, however, that such individuals exist in any 
 community or in any country ; however, inasmuch as they 
 are believed to exist, they will, should certain contingencies 
 arise, attempt to carry out their determination. However 
 much such action may be deplored by all self-governing men, 
 it can only result in riot or attempted revolution, in which 
 latter respect they will probably be disappointed, inasmuch 
 as the popular isentiment of the American people is averse 
 to it. 
 
 The people in this country have assumed the prerogative 
 of a Court, and in all matters affecting their interests, they 
 jud^e of the fact from the evidence before them, and, after 
 rendering a just and even-handed judgment, they proceed to 
 execute that judgment. 
 
 The American people are a reading, thinking, reasoning 
 people, therefore no pretext can be sprung upon them in such 
 fonn and under such circumstances as to mvolve any conside- 
 rable number of thern in action, until the evidence shall haVe 
 
11 
 
 l)een adjudged of by the court and jury — the whole people ; 
 therefore, if any attempt shall be made, such as your letter 
 contemplates, it will not only be arrested but eflectually sup- 
 pressed. 
 
 I have no fears for the perpetuity of the American Union 
 and the Federal Compact; they were instituted by God, and 
 by Him they will be preserved inviolate ; and whosoever in- 
 terposes obstacles to their continuance, will himself, with his 
 obstacles, be removed out of the way of their divine working, 
 even though it shall call for a sacrifice of three millions of 
 men. God, and truth, and right, are mighty, and they will 
 prevail. 
 
 Receive my kind regards, and belive me. 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 GEO. B. SBIPSOK 
 
 It is not impossible that Mr. , also of your city ; 
 
 and , and Col. , of Philadelphia, and other 
 
 prominent, wealthy, and iutluential men are in this conspi- 
 racy to disrupt the Government. I have positive proof of 
 
 and , the lenders in , and their 
 
 agents and aids in Foreign countries who have long since 
 avowed their determination to destroy this Government. It 
 was this proof also referred to in my communication to you 
 on or about the 15th of January last 
 
 However incredible these facts may appear to you, they 
 are, nevertheless, true, and before this difficulty is perma- 
 nently settled truths will come to light that will astonish the 
 world ; and be not alarmed when I assure you that 3Io7iarch- 
 ists in Europe are the main springs of the whole movement. 
 
 In the present state of public affairs, these facts claim your 
 serious consideration. 
 
 I am, sir, very truly, yours, 
 
 GJEO. B. SIMPSON. 
 
12 
 
 IMPERFECT TELEGRAPH. 
 
 -m — &r—m — m — ^ — f^ 
 
 Indicating Mnchine. 
 
 Waslimgton City, D. C, June 5, 1861. 
 
 Hon. "William H. Seward,^ 
 
 Secretary of State : 
 
 Sir : Herewith please find rough drawuig representing im- 
 perfect telegraph lines. 
 
 Assuming all the telegraph lines now in the possession of 
 the Federal Government to be j^erfect, the natural inference 
 would be, that the Government could conceal from the pub- 
 lic all its important telegraphic dispatches. On the other 
 hand, assuming an important line extending from this city 
 in a northern direction as imperfect, in the manner indicated 
 in the drawing, and you will perceive that all messages dis- 
 patched over that line must pass through an indicatinr/ machine 
 concealed from the public and in the hands of the enemies of 
 the Government ! I do not know this fact to exist, but I think 
 it possible and highly probable, inasmuch as some of our 
 enemies appear to understand all the movements of Govern^ 
 
 ment. 
 
 It would require a very minute examination of the tele- 
 graphs to discover a diversion of a continuous line, for the 
 reason, as appears in the drawing of the imperfect line, that 
 the disconnexion may be very slight and entirely concealed 
 by a covering of gutta percha or other material. 
 
 My only object in making this suggestion is to put the 
 Government in possession of information of a possible defect 
 jn its telegraphic operations. 
 
 I nave the honor to be, verv respectfullv, 
 
 GEO. B. SIMPSON. 
 
 Tnvenior of the Sub-marine Telegraph Cable, 
 
 5ih Auditor's Office, U. S, Treasury^ 
 
13 
 
 Washington City, D. C, December 18^, 1861. 
 
 Hon. Gideon Wells. 
 
 Secretary of the Navy : 
 
 Sir : From the present aspect of our ITational affairs, a 
 war with England is not improbable. 
 
 I would therefore most respectfully suggest, that a marine 
 or submarine ioiyedo may be constructed for blowing up the 
 enemy's ships at a distance of one, five, or a greater number 
 of miles ; that a submarine armor or boat may also be con- 
 structed for the purpose of attaching explosives to the bottom 
 of ships, to be ignited by a galvanic or electric battery, and 
 thus accomplish the same object. 
 
 It is therefore confidently believed by the undersigned, 
 that missels of war may be thus created at comparatively 
 trifling expense, which, when put into practical operation 
 will exterminate the English navy within ninety days. 
 
 A strong desire for the welfare of my country induces me 
 to offer these suggestions. 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 
 "Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 GEO. B. SIMPSOif, 
 
 Inventor of the Submarine 2'elegraph Cable. 
 
 Washington, December, 1861. 
 
 I HEREBY CERTIFY, That I have known Geo. B. Simpson, 
 Esq., for a number of years intimately, and have had conver- 
 Bations with him relative to the exciting questions involving 
 our common country, and have ever held him as an uncom- 
 promising friend of the Union, and that before the com- 
 mencement of our troubles in travelling in Utah and Kansas, 
 he ascertained some matters relative to the movements of 
 the conspirators then holding high positions under this Gov- 
 ernment, which he endeavored to expose by well written ar- 
 ticles in the Xational Intelligencer in 1857, and had his 
 timely warning then been heeded, a preventive might have 
 been initiated to prevent the wholesale devastation made on 
 the property and armiea of the United States, by the rebel 
 States. I, therefore, unhesitantly, assert from my personal 
 knowledge of Mr. Simpson, no truer friend to the Union as 
 
u 
 
 it was, and as it is bound again to be, does not exist in this 
 district, 
 
 THOMAS C. DONN, 
 
 Justice of the Peace for Washington County^ 
 
 Jjisirici of Columbia, 
 
 To Hon. Salmon P. Chase, 
 
 Secretary/ of the Treasury of the United States of America : 
 Sir : It is with the profoundest astonishment^ that I learn 
 a charge of disloyalty has been preferred against ]Mr. George 
 B. Simpson, a clerk employed in your department. Such a 
 charge certainly could not have come from any truly loyal 
 man who knew him. From my acquaintance with him and 
 knowledge of his acts during last winter, while I was em- 
 ployed as one of the extra police force for the protection and 
 defence of the National Capitol, I should not have been 
 more surprised, had your honor been thus charged. During 
 that period of darkness, doubt, treachery, and treasonable 
 plottings, when this city swarmed with disloyal persons, this 
 gentleman communicated to me and to the Capitol police 
 generally, importont information concerning the machina- 
 tions of the plotters of rebellion in this city, to guard us 
 against surprise, and in every becoming way, showed himself 
 to be a true and hearty friend of the Republic, and zealous 
 to expose treason and traitors to the proper authorities. The 
 details of what came within ray own knowledge, I am ready 
 to communicate and establish by the due forms of law when- 
 ever called upon to do so bv the proper authorities. 
 
 MOSES FOSTER. 
 Washington, D. G, December 4:, 1861. 
 
 Note — Secretary Chase removed me from office in the U. States 
 Treasury (to which position Secretary Dix appointed me for havinsf 
 furnished the information herewith submitted,) upon the perjured 
 oath of one John A. Rliller, given before the Potter Investigating 
 Committee of the House of Representatives, and after all the evi- 
 dence of my devotion to the Union herewith submitted, with ten 
 times as much similar testimony not herewith submitted, had been 
 placed in his hands as a disclaimer to the said perjured oath of 
 John A. Miller, he, Secretary Chrase, refused to reinstate me, thus 
 giving the weight of his influence and position '\n favor of an in- 
 quisition whose only merit seemed to be the secrecy with which it 
 executed its nefarious designs. 
 
 GEO. B. SIMPSON. 
 
15 
 
 History of the Civil War in America, by John S. C. Abbott, 
 Vol. 1, page 51. Is tke following letter : 
 
 Washington^ January 7, 1861. 
 My dear Sir : " On the other side is a copy of resolutions 
 adopted at a consultation of Senators from the seceding States, 
 in which Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, 
 Mississippi, and Florida, were present. The idea of the meet- 
 ing was, that the States should go out at once, and provide for 
 the early organization of a Confederate Government, not 
 later than the 15th of February. This time is allowed to 
 enable Louisiana and Texas to participate. It seemed to be 
 the opinion, that if we left here, force, loan, and volunteer 
 bills might be passed, which would put Mr. Lincoln in im- 
 mediate condition for hostilities, whereas, by remaining in 
 our places until the 4th of March, it is thought we can keep 
 Mr. Buchanan's hands tied, and disable the Kepublicansfrom 
 efi'ecting any legislation which will strengthen the hands of 
 the incoming Administration." 
 
 In haste, yours truly, 
 (Signed,) D. L. YULEE. 
 
 True copy, U. S. Senate., 
 
 George B. Simpson, August, 1865. 
 
 On the retirement of John B. Floyd from the "War Office, 
 Hon. Joseph Holt, was appointed to succeed him. 
 
 On the 18th of February, 1861, Mr. Holt addressed a letter 
 to the President in reply to a resolution of the House of 
 Representatives, inquiring into the state of the defences in 
 Washington City. 
 
 The foUowiug are extracts from this letter : " At what 
 time the armed occupation of Washington City became a 
 part of the revolutionary programme is not certainly known ; 
 more than six weeks ago, the information had been already 
 obtained, that the conspiracy for the accomplisment of this 
 guilty purpose was in process of formation, if not fully ma- 
 tured." 
 
 " Whatever may have been the machinations of deluded, 
 lawless men, the execution of their purposes has been sus- 
 pended, if not altogetlier abandoned, in view o^f preparations 
 which announce more impressively than words, that this ad- 
 ministration is alike able and resolved, to transfer in. peaco 
 
16 
 
 to the President elect the authority tfiat, imder the Constitu- 
 tion, belougs to him." 
 
 (Signed,) JOSEPH HOLT. 
 
 History of the Civil "War in America, by John C. Abbott, 
 Vol. 1, pages 82 uiid 84. 
 
 A true copy, 
 
 Geo. B. Simpson, August^ 1865. 
 
 The extracts from the letter of Mr. Holt and the fall letter 
 of Senator Yulee (brothers-in-law) are conclusiveproof of all 
 that is stated in my communication to Hon. John A. Dix, 
 then Secretary of the Treasury. 
 
 Now, let us look at the political situation for a moment as 
 it is now known to have existed at that period. 
 
 The Government was in the hands of James Buchanan ; 
 and it has been erroneously alledgcd that he was one of the 
 original conspirators; but if persons will take the trouble to 
 examine into the facts as they then existed, it will appear 
 plain to every honest and unbiased mind that, had he been 
 one of the original conspirators against the life of the Kepub- 
 lic he had it in his power to have transferred the Government 
 into their hands. When, however, he failed to recognize 
 the " Consiiiutional right" of a State to secede from the Fed- 
 eral Union, a commission was instituted in South Carolina 
 and authorized to proceed to "Washington and remind the 
 President of his implied obligation to the South, in this, the 
 emergency which tried their very heart-strings, which com- 
 mission signally failed in the accomplishment of its desired 
 object. 
 
 Prior to the return of this commission it was decided in 
 solemn council to assassinate the President, and, if necessary, 
 to assassinate Lieut. Gen'l Winfield Scott, when Vice Presi- 
 dent Breckenridge would succeed to the Presidency, who 
 would instantly recognize the " Consiiiuiional right of a Slate to 
 secede from the Federal Union" by official proclamation, when 
 the Capitol would be seized, a military line would be estab- 
 lished along the southern border of Pennsylvania, and on the 
 4th of March following, Messrs. Breckenridge and Lane 
 •would be inaugurated President and Vice President of tho 
 United States. This course was essential to secure the reeog' 
 nition of foreign governments, as wiihout the Executive sanction 
 to the Constitutional ri-ght of a State to secede, the act would 
 
17 
 
 have been regarded by them as an usurpation ; and vpon thi-s 
 point turned (he whole controversy ; therefore, in communicating 
 these facts to Secretary Dix, I expressed the opinion in effed 
 that, " everything now depends on the preservation of the life of 
 President Buchanan until the Government can be transferred to the: 
 incoming admimstraiion. ' ' 
 
 Had President Buchanan been one of the original' conspi- 
 rators there coukl have been no necessity for the South Caro- 
 lina Commission ; and in all human probability a know^ledgc 
 of the consph-acy would not have accidently fallen into my 
 possession ; on the contrary, Mr. Buchanan would have un- 
 qualiiiedly recognized the right demanded by foreign Govern- 
 ments, the Federal Capitol would have been seized on or be- 
 fore the 15th day of February, 1861 ; a military line would 
 have been established on the southern border of Pennsylva- 
 nia, and on the 4th of March following, Messrs. Breckenridge 
 and Lane would have been inaugurated l*resident and Vice 
 President of the United States, and this Government would 
 have been recognized by all the leading Foreign Ministers at 
 Washington as the Government dc facto of the United States. 
 
 Xow, suppose this information had not accidentally fallen 
 into my hands ; or, having fallen into my hands, I had failed 
 either from design or otherwise to communicate it to the 
 proper authorities; what would have been the result? Whv, 
 the conspirators wotild have had the government ; the Federal 
 (""apitol and its National archives, the Army, Navy, Treasury, 
 and Department of State, all would have been theirs, confir/n- 
 rd by the recognition of nearly all the foreign Governments. 
 Suppose, again, under these circumstances the Republican 
 party had attempted to organize a new government under 
 Messrs. Lincoln and Hamlin, where would they have met 't 
 In Philadelphia, New York, or Boston, of course. What 
 would President Breckenridge have said to this assembly 'i 
 Would he not have declared it a treasonable convention and 
 (•nlered its members to disperse, giving them a reasonabh' 
 time to do so, and in the event of a failure on their part to 
 comply with this order, would he not, as the recognized 
 President of the United States, have called for volunteers t<» 
 defend the Capitol and suppress the rebellion? Would he not, 
 in accordance with prior utiderstanding, have called upon 
 England, France, and Spain, l)y the use of their navies to aid 
 in the blockade of our northern coast from the St. John'fci to 
 to the entrance of the Chesapeake? Would not the wholt- 
 (^anadian frontier have been in harmony and fraternal accord 
 ^ith tho movement ? Would not the Mexican scheme tuivt- 
 
18 
 
 been a complete success and its Government a powerful ally ? 
 And, with the great Democratic party at that time through-, 
 out the free States fully sympathizing and fraternizing with 
 them, what, let me ask, cauld the Republic Convention and 
 party have done ! "Without pursuing these inquiries further, 
 I will give it as my deliberate opinion, that the insurgent 
 movement would have been a success, and would have com- 
 pelled either a seperation of the States or a compliance with 
 the demands of the South upon the question of Slavery. 
 
 However, this, now, is mere speculation ; the issue was 
 joined and has been decided; and the American Republic 
 lives, lives ever ! 
 
 The statement made in this paper relative to a knowledge 
 of the fact and a participation in the original act of the con- 
 spiracy by some of the Foreign Ministers at "Washington, can- 
 not, I suppose, be established by documentary proof; never- 
 theless, I know the statement to be true from personal ac- 
 quaintance and intercourse with some of the eight or ten 
 Englishmen who at that time edited the Constitutional news- 
 paper, all of whom were in the interests of and were leagued 
 with the original conspirators, and some of whom were in 
 daily intercourse with Lord Lyons, the British Minister. 
 Subsequent facts, however, more than confirm the statement ; 
 and it will be difficult for either England or France ever to 
 convince the American people that the fact is not as stated. 
 As for myself, I firmly believe that evidence of their compli- 
 city in the treason will yet come to light which will fully con- 
 vict them. 
 
 Very respectfullv, 
 
 GEO. B. SIMPSON. 
 Gettysburg , Pa,, September bth, 1865. 
 
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