“'Mr. Jackson, I intend to deal honestly with my Government (meaning the Confederacy) in this whole matter, and I do not intend that these bonds in my possession shall be a missing 'Indian Trust Fund?'
“Jackson remarked, 'Why, Captain, what do you mean by Indian Trust Fund?'
“'Oh! nothing,' said the Captain; 'it was a mere idle remark.'
“This, however, opened a flood of light in upon Jackson's mind in reference to matters of the past, in connection with certain frauds upon the United States Government. He pretended not to understand the Captain, however, and there the conversation on this subject dropped. Jackson thanked the Captain for his generosity, but declined to accept his offer,—that of being his guest while in London,—but said he would remain with him as long as he could do so. They agreed that the next day they would visit some few points of interest while resting and before starting into business matters, and separated for the night. After Jackson had retired to his room he jotted down what he had seen and heard, the names of those whom he had met, etc., and at the same time he concluded there was a chance for a fair-sized row between Jacob Thomlinson and Capt. Redingson.
“Evidently, the latter had but little confidence in the former, and was determined to look well to his own matters of business.
“The next morning, after they had breakfasted, a programme was arranged and they started out in a cab sightseeing. The first place of interest visited was the monument at Fish-street Hill, near London Bridge, which stands as the enduring monument to London's great fire in 1666. The next place, which is usually the first one visited by travelers, was Westminster Abbey—the shrine of the ashes of some of the most illustrious and greatest of England's dead. They then visited the Temple, being next in antiquarian interest; then St. Paul's Church, the Middle and Inner Temple Hall, Middle Temple Library, Temple Gardens, and one or two of the principal parks. By this time they had whiled away the most of the day, and therefore returned to Charing Cross Hotel.
“After dinner that evening they again visited the rooms of Jacob Thomlinson and found the same friends of the evening before. After salutations, and the ordinary chat about London and the points visited by each, the conversation again turned on the war at home. On this occasion ways and means were discussed very freely. The Professor and Dr. Blackman seemed to be really fiendish in their feelings and suggestions. The Professor was very anxious that money should be obtained at once, in order that the plan agreed to at Richmond should be entered upon without delay, which was, as heretofore stated, that the material was to be made in large quantities wherewith towns, cities and other property could be easily burned without detection. Jackson inquired of the Professor what his combustible was, to which he replied:
“'There are but two men who have the secret; it cannot be given without the consent of both and in the presence of both. I can,' he continued, 'burn the city of New York in one day or night by throwing this preparation in eight or ten places at the same point of time, and no power can prevent its success in making destruction certain. The person throwing it can, by a certain gauge, give himself plenty of time to be entirely out of the sight of any one who might chance to be near. In that way he would not even be suspected. When the explosion takes place the flames will instantly cover an entire block of buildings. It has been so thoroughly tested that there is now no longer any doubt of the destructive power of the material.'
“Capt. Redingson here interposed a question, desiring to know if this would come within the range of civilized warfare?
“'Civilized warfare!' said Dr. Blackman; 'what do I care for the rules of civilized warfare? Have not these Yankees destroyed our property? Are they not setting our slaves free? Is not that destruction of our property rights?'