captive or captives
until the Confederacy should be recognized. This question was taken and
carried unanimously with a great hurrah and three cheers for the man or
men who should accomplish this most desirable object.

"After the proposition had been agreed to, Mr. Page and Capt. Alston
both desired to know what was to be done, if anything, should this
attempt to capture those men fail. Quite a discussion here arose, during
which considerable feeling was shown on the part of some of the Southern
men. Finally they determined to recommend that Wilkes, Page, Alston and
Durham be put in charge and organize for the purpose mentioned, and that
they receive their instructions directly from Jacob Thomlinson. One of
these men should go to Richmond with C. C. Carey, and there meet Durham
and consult with the authorities as to the route to be adopted in
getting into and out of Washington, and the means to be resorted to for
their assistance and protection; also that, in the event of failure in
capturing either of those men, then in that case they, or some of
them, were to return to Canada and confer further with Thomlinson; and
whatever measures he and they should adopt that looked like bringing
success were to be carried out, with the understanding that the assembly
here and now assented to it; which it did, and appointed Mr. Thom-linson
with power to act as fully as if the matter had been laid before it and
agreed to by a vote.

"This concluded the business of the delegates, and they adjourned
to meet on the call of the Grand Commander at any future time when
necessary for the benefit of the cause of the Confederacy. Henry
remained a day or so in order to note any further developments. Carey
and Page left at once for Richmond, intending to make their way in
disguise by rail into West Virginia, and from there to Richmond. Wilkes
started for New York and Alston for Buffalo. They were to make their
way to Baltimore, and meet there on a certain day and remain until
Page should return from Richmond with Durham. They were then to have an
understanding as to how they should operate. Before leaving they all had
a secret meeting with Thomlin-son, but what instructions they received
of a private nature Henry did not know, except that he learned if their
scheme should fail, one or more of them were to return at once to Canada
and consult further with Thomlinson as to their future operations.

"'I required this to be written in full by He