Unknown, August 6, 1861

Commanding the Department of California:

DEAR SIR: I have not yet learned the name of the officer or posts of the soldiers ‘referred to in my letter of July 29. Last night the secessionists received reports from all parts of the State, and they were considered very favorable, particularly in Sacramento and Tulare County, which is strong for secession. They are energetically at work all over this State. hey now contemplate starting in two or three weeks a force of about 200 men to Utah and capture Fort Crittenden (Camp Floyd). There are many Mormons here, and they are enlisting all they can, and Mormons here have promised to raise from 300 to 500 in Utah, probably more, to join the party from here, rendezvous on the west side of Utah Lake, and go and take it in the night, take the mules, wagons, harness, and available plunder here, and then the transportation through via Texas to the Jeff. Davis Confederation, where they expect to get paid in cash (?). They are to go in squads, and when near there to travel in the night, so that the first intimation Colonel Cooke has of the attack will be his capture. As I was stationed there in Utah a long time, adjutant of the Tenth Infantry and post adjutant of Camp Floyd, have traveled from Salt Lake City here the southern route, have had a good opportunity to ascertain the sentiments of the citizens of that Territory. As a general thing there is a deep and abiding hatred toward the Federal Government, and an expedition of this kind can confidently reckon on support in every town. Will you be kind enough to have an extract made of this and sent to Colonel Cooke? I am personally acquainted with him, and do not write to him, as there is a secession postmaster there, and I am watched now, and my letter might be opened. Last night in the secession meeting Dr. D. R. Dickey and myself were denounced in the most bitter terms, on account of our active Union operations, and we will be the first ones killed. My name must be kept secret. They are desperadoes, and are increasing daily, getting more confident of their ability. I to-day got their papers, except the paper that has the signatures of these traitors.

[ Memorandum in pencil on back of letter:] Petition of Judge Boren not handed to Major Ketchum by General Sumner. –

Whereas, a crisis has arrived in our political affairs which demands the closest scrutiny and strictest vigilance of every true patriot as an American citizen; and whereas, we view with regret and heartfelt sorrow the existence of a civil war now waged by one portion of the American people against another; and whereas, also, we believe that this war has been called into requisition by the present Executive of the United States without the guarantee of the Constitution and without the assent of either branch of the American Congress in their legislative capacity; and believing this as an unjust, unholy, iniquitous, and unconstitutional war; therefore

Be it resolved, first, That we, as a portion of the citizens of the United States, will support the Constitution as it now stands, together with the amendments thereunto appended, and that we will strictly adhere to the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States made under said Constitution where a collision or difference of opinion has heretofore or may hereafter occur between citizens of one State and those of another or between States and the Federal Government, foreign citizens, subjects, «e.

Second. Beit further resolved, That, in our opinion, the President has violated the most sacred palladium of American liberty by the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, and thus depriving an American citizen of having the cause of his imprisonment inquired into by the proper tribunal.

Third. Be it further resolved, That we are in favor of sustaining the Southern States of the American Confederacy in all their constitutional rights; that we believe an unconstitutional war is now being waged against them to subject them toa taxation enormous and unequal and to deprive them in the end of their species of property called slaves.

Fourth. And be it lastly resolved, That we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our property, and our sacred honor to sustain our brethren of the Southern States in the just defense of all their constitutional rights, whether invaded by the present Executive or by a foreign foe.

I (A. B.), here in the presence of these witnesses, before Almighty God, I promise and swear that I will not divulge or reveal any of the secrets of this institution to anyone except I know to be a brother (or to instruct candidates). I furthermore swear that I will obey the proper authorities when ordered to do so, and that I will assist a brother of this institution in his rights, individually or constitutionally, when required of me by him, if need be, with my life. All this I solemnly swear to obey, under the penalty of being shot. f

J. J. Willis, H. C. Minor, W. W. Y. Gall, William Kilgore, J. S. Banks, J. S. Seale, Charles Seale, John Hambleton, W. Foreman, Hamilton Foreman, Samuel Kelsey, James H. Wilson, R. Gaines, C. Bogert (candidate for senator).

The list of names I did not see. These were at the bottom of the obligation. I think there are many who are participators who have not signed, and I am assured there is a long list of those who have. The painter, one of the gang, is now employed in making the flag. I copied this instrument of treason accurately. The headquarters of the traitors is in Holcomb Valley, and there is a strong organization. I think two companies of U. S. troops better be sent here at once. One of the members says he thinks in two weeks fighting will commence in this town if there are no U.S. troops here. The rumored defeat of the Federal troops has strengthened them considerably. The oath is administered while kneeling, with the left hand on the heart, the right hand upheld. Every Southerner has joined. Many, I think, join for plunder. There are additions every day. I think it best, as soon as the troops get here, to commence arresting and securing them. You see they have provided for that. As soon as one is arrested they are bound to release him. I will write soon if nothing happens to me.

very respectfully,