William H. Seward to Right Hon. Lord Lyons, November 22, 1864

Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.

Sir: I have the honor to enclose an extract from a communication of the 17th instant, addressed to the department by his excellency the governor of Vermont, relative to the hostile schemes of insurgent agents in Canada againstthe United States. I must request your lordship to ask the earnest attention of her Britannic Majesty’s government to the subject.

I have the honor to be, with high consideration, my lord, your obedient servant,

Governor Smith to Mr. Seward.

Sir. * * * * * * *

Mr. Edmunds informs me that Messrs. Clay, Saunders, and Westcott (late senator from Florida) still continue to threaten retaliation, and openly say that they are organized, both in Canada East and West, and prepared for action. My advices from perfectly reliable sources are that in their secret conclaves their plans are being discussed and perfected, and that they threaten that they will destroy the towns of Burlington and St. Albans within thirty days. They are cognizant of our movements here for the defence of the frontier, being informed by their spies how many muskets have been distributed, and to what towns. There is no movement made of which they are not informed, as they have spies in every town. The action of our legislature is reported to them, and they are familiar with the discussion of every measure which may affect them.

* * * * * * *

I have the honor to be, with high regard, your obedient servant,