Department of State,
Washington,
February 23, 1865.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
obedient servant,
J. Hume Burnley, Esq, &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Jackson to Mr. Seward
Consulate of the United
States,
Halifax, Nova Scotia,
February 13, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that
since my telegrams to you I have endeavored to procure further
information in relation to the designs of the rebels, now in Canada,
upon our northern borders.
I have ascertained that the rebels, now scattered through several of
the border towns in Canada, designed, some time since, making
another raid from Canada into the United States, but their
operations have been suspended to await the result of the judicial
proceedings in the Canadian courts in the case of the St. Albans
raiders. They aver, however, that the result of those proceedings
will not defeat their plans; and that, at the earliest practicable
period, they will attempt to carry them into execution.
I have been informed that one of the points to be attacked is Oswego,
New York. They also make threats against Rochesten
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The headquarters of these desperadoes are Toronto, Hamilton,
Kingston, and the other towns upon or in the vicinity of the
Canadian border.
I have no doubt they will attempt, the first favorable opportunity,
to consummate their plans; their objects being both to plunder and
injure the people of the loyal States, and to create trouble, if
possible a war, between the United States and Great Britain.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
M. M. JACKSON, U. S.
Consul
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
