Mr. Jackson to Mr. F. W. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that an organization of rebels has been formed, consisting of at least three hundred persons, for the purpose of seizing, plundering, destroying, and, where practicable, appropriating American steamers and other vessels at different points along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and on the upper lakes.
The main object of these pirates will be to seize vessels having large amounts of money on hand. This body of desperadoes will separate in smaller parties and operate at different points. Their base of operations and headquarters will hereafter be at Havana, at which place they will be supplied with money, and such arms and other means as may be necessary to facilitate their operations. A portion of the company will probably remain at Nassau; another portion will proceed from Havana to Vera Cruz, and another portion to California, for the purpose of intercepting and seizing the Pacific mail steamers.
Those steamers carrying the largest amounts of money will be the special objects of attack. Several persons belonging to the organization have commissions from the rebel secretary of the navy. Some of the parties connected with the piratical gang left here last week in the steamer Acadle, which sailed for Nassau and Havana, and which steamer, it is said, will proceed from Havana to Yera Cruz.
Lieutenant Braine, one of the piratical leaders, and who was connected with the seizure of the Chesapeake and Roanoke, and who has a commission from the rebel government, was here two or three days ago in disguise, and left under an assumed name in a schooner for Nassau. McDonald, who was connected with Braine in the seizure of the Chesapeake, is said to be in Canada, in the vicinity of Detroit.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
F. W. Seward, Esq., Assistant Secretary of State.