Unknown to William H. Seward, July 29, 1861

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington, D. O.:

Believing it to be the duty of every loyal citizen to aid the Federal sovernment to the extent of his ability, I will endeavor to make you acquainted with all movements or operations that I think will be beneficial to the Chief Executive to know concerning this section of the country, and particularly the lower portion of California, Arizona, and Sonora. Some months ago, I think in December or January last, a gentleman of this place, of high standing, of Southern birth and sympathies, conversing with me about the probability of a division of the United States, said if there was any difficulty in the Atlantic States an expedition would go from California and capture Sonora and annex it to this State, and asked me how I would like such a trip. I replied it suited me. He said it was more than likely that I would be tendered a command; that it was deemed very desirable to secure my services, Se. (all of which I thought mere flattery at the time), and that the chief directors of the expedition were at San Francisco (General Johnston & Co.). At the time I considered nothing of this kind would be done. Last week, having occasion to go to Holcomb Valley mines, I learned the following facts: That there were a large number of secessionists congregated there from different parts of the State, when that place was designated as a rendezvous. It was for the departure of 250 secessionists from there for Sonora to attack and capture Fort Yuma; that there are a large number of soldiers at that post who belong to this secession combination and will turn upon their officers the moment the attack is made. There they will provide themselves with all that the fort contains that is of value or use to them; all property that can be made available will be taken, the remainder destroyed. There is a lieutenant now in the Army—lI could not learn positively whether he was in Benicia, Los Angeles, or Yuma; my impression is that he is somewhere in California, because at their meetings last Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights they spoke of General A. S. Johnston, who lately left here with a party of fifty men for Texas to join the Southern Army, as their adviser and director, whose advice was law, and in a speech regarded him as a very superior officer and manager, and said the command of the party to capture Yuma and Sonora was urged on him months ago. He said his reputation and standing were so high he would proceed at once to the South, as his enemies would denounce the expedition as a thieving one, «e., and he laid all the plans for this lieutenant to follow as soon as the expedition could be got ready. This expedition, a greater portion of which rendezvoused at Holcomb Valley within the last ten days, it seems was countermanded until a few weeks hence. They were sent to different portions of the State to raise men and money, to capture the lower portion of this State (Arizona is with them) and Sonora, and proclaim Jefferson Davis as their President and hoist the Confederate flag. They are bound together by the most binding oaths. The penalty for divulging anything connected with their operations, any of their traitorous plans, is death, and they swear to kill anyone so offending. Every one belonging to this traitor band after the capture of this State and southward is to have three leagues of land; in other words, to share equally the plunder. In their convention they concluded that 1,000 men—effective, well-armed men—true to the secession cause, would be amply sufficient to capture and hold the counties of San Bernardino, San Diego, and Los Angeles. The inhabitants living mostly on large ranches several miles apart, taken by surprise with no time to rally, that force is regarded by them as sufficientl y large. They designated men to go to differenttowns to forward this plan to raise men and money. Two came here, two to Los Angeles, and to other places I will find out in a day or so. They expect to have these missionaries of piracy come to Holcomb Valley in about six weeks and report a state of readiness, and then, in their language, “they will cut loose.” As soon as possible I will ascertain the whereabouts and, if possible, the names of these disloyal soldiers and officer. Most, if not all, the soldiers are at Fort Yuma, I think. This officer was in communication with General Johnston all the time he was in command of this department. That there is going to be an effort to capture a portion, if not all, of this State, Arizona, Sonora, I know, and Fort Yuma is going to be taken on the route to Sonora. Teonsulted with a friend of mine here, Doctor D. R. Dickey. He will go on down to Los Angeles and takealetter from meto General Sumner through Major Carleton. Themomentlascertain the name of the officer and the certain disaffection of troops I will telegraph to General Sumner in time to express to Yuma. About six weeks is the time calculated it will take to raise men and means. I became assured that it was dangerous to believe anyone in this particular locality on this great question when I saw the number of hypocrites and traitors at Holcomb. If the civil appointments for this State are true to the Government they could do a great deal. As special agent, special mail agent, their expenses being paid by Government, they could organize in every town a Union party that could be prepared for emergencies like the coming one. I would respectfully recommend that Moses Martin be appointed postmaster at San Bernardino. I mail this to my father, Harmon Bennett, in order that it may reach you. Mr. Martin is a supporter of the present Administration. He voted for Mr. Lincoln, canvassed the county to aid his election, and he is a reliable man—Union man. This must be kept secret until we have success on the Union side, and I trust it will not be long. If there is anything I can do to forward the interest of the Government I pledge myself to doit. Ihave penned this hurriedly and with many interruptions. I will use my utmost ability to have these traitors captured and brought to justice. I especially request care to be taken that my name does not appear in connection with this until we have caught these traitors.

Hoping and trusting that success will crown your efforts for the restoration of peace to our country,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,