I will thank you to call the attention of his excellency Viscount Monck
to this information.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
obedient servant,
J. Hume Burnley, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mayor Fargo to Mr. Seward
Mayor’s Office, Buffalo,
December 5, 1864.
Sir: I Have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your favors, dated the 19th and 21st of November,
respectively. I transmit herewith, for your information, a copy of a
communication received by me from a gentleman in Toronto, who gave
me the original information in regard to the propeller Georgia, and
who is now employed by the city as a detective.
His statements are, in my judgment, entitled to credit. I have sent
copies of this communication to Major General Dix, and also to the
commander of the United States steamer Michigan.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D.C.
[Enclosure.]
Toronto,
November 30,
1864.
Dear Sir: I have delayed writing you
concerning the movements of certain parties here, thinking I
could ascertain to a certainty what their determination was. I
have in a measure succeeded. Bates would have made the attempt
on the cutter Michigan had her wheel held good. It became loose
again on his arrival in Port Stanley. He then went to Sarnia
with her, and came himself to Toronto, and upon remonstration
with the firm from whom he purchased her, they agreed to get him
a new one. He (Bates) told me that he would yet make the
attempt, if the weather held good. The report that the Georgian
was going into the Saginaw lumber trade was a mere blind.
Finding that you were aroused and prepared, he said that he
would make a trip or two to the Sault Ste. Marie, in the place
of the Algonia, which is disabled, and by that time things would
be quiet. He is a determined old fellow, and as plausible as an
old woman. His captain (Milne) knows the lakes well on both
sides, and is, moreover, a rank secessionist in feeling. It
behooves the people at Sandusky to keep a good lookout. Should
the winter set in suddenly Bates will lay up the Georgian and
come here, when I will get out of him what his intentions
are.
There is a man who travels by the name of Smith, but whose real
name is Granta Tennessee lawyer; he is frequently going from
here to Hannibal, and vice versa. He
brings information to Colonel Thompson, and takes information
back, and connects at Hannibal with scouts, who go south. He
always crosses at Sarnia, via Grand
Trunk. He told me that it was safer to cross at Sarnia than at
Windsor. If you want a description of him I can give it.
There is another who frequently crosses at the Suspension bridge
and goes to New York. His name is Triggs. Whether he travels by
that name or not I do not know, but there is no mistaking him. I
was with him last night.
There is something on foot the precise nature of which I have not
yet been able to determine, but will find out. There are four or
five gangs. of them determined to do or die this winter.
Our solicitor general, West, is up here trying to find out about
this cannon manufactory.
There is another leader of the confederates here by the name of
Baker. We had a great influx of them last week, and after a day
or two they separated again. Yesterday a lot of them returned a
second time. I will find out what they are at. As soon as Bates
get back, and I see him, I will sound him and let you know.
Yours, truly,
William G. Fargo, Esq., Mayor, &c, Buffalo,
New York
