“The next morning the Vice-President visited the house of Mr. Hanson, and he and Carey had the contemplated interview. Carey said that in the interview the Vice-President contended for peace on the terms of a restored Union, but agreed with the Democrats of the North that the restoration should be on the basis of the old Constitution. Carey said that in answer to the question as to what he would do if he were President, the Vice-President said that he would restore the Union if he could on the old basis, but that the people were tired of war and taxes, and that unless Silent could drive Laws out of Richmond, capture it, and destroy the Confederate army during the next Spring campaign, the Confederacy must be recognized and the war ended.
“At this the assembly heartily cheered. Carey also said that in answer to the question as to the powers of the Vice-President, in case of the absence of the President, if he should be so situated that he could not return to perform the duties of the office, the Vice-President replied that such a case as stated would certainly come under the provision of the Constitution, wherein it is recited that in case of the death, resignation, or inability of the President to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice-President; that under such circumstances he should at once assume the duties of the office, but hoped that such a case would not arise while he was Vice-President.
“Carey stated that the Vice-President said that he had always been a Union man, but that he was a Democrat, and had never been anything else, and did not propose to be; that he was placed on the Republican ticket without being consulted. Therefore he did not feel under any obligations to that party. He also stated that he recognized the fact that when it was evident that the Union could be held together only by subjugating the people of the South, it was statesmanship to let them go, and stop further bloodshed. This also brought applause.
“Carey further stated that the Vice-President expressed a willingness to meet privately with any of our leading men of the South at any time when and where it could be done without danger to either party. With this the interview ended. When the parties separated the Vice-President bade him good-by and grasped his hand in the most friendly and cordial manner. He said if Carey should experience any trouble in getting back to Richmond to let him know.
“Carey left the next morning, and returning to Richmond reported the interview precisely as it occurred, at which the authorities were greatly pleased, and thought it opened a way for success, knowing the character of the man, his stubbornness, his egotism, and that he possessed a belief that he was destined to be President of the United States at some time. It was not intended to say any more to him than to ascertain his views on a given state of facts, and having accomplished this much, the authorities at Richmond felt sure that if the President of the United States could by some means be captured and spirited away, and Silent also, or either of them, the success of the Confederacy would be assured beyond question. In the event of the capture and hiding away of the President, the Vice-President would surely assume the powers and duties of President. The friends of the Confederacy in Congress could then so cripple the Government that no doubt could longer exist of success. He said it was thought that in the event the President could not be captured, a party could be organized who could, without much risk, surprise and capture Gen. Silent. This done, Laws would at once assume the aggressive, drive Meador and his army back on Washington, and continue the war beyond the next Spring, so that the friends of the Confederacy could regain strength, and, with the Vice-President in favor of the recognition of the Confederate Government, it could not be longer postponed. But the great thing to be accomplished, he said, was the capture of Mr. Lincoln; that would end all controversy.
“This seemed to strike the audience, and they cheered the proposition. Carey then stated that this was the first proposition the committee desired to present. He had other important ones, however, that must be considered by the assembly. While in Richmond he found many men of great courage and daring who were ready to do anything to bring success if they could be sustained and protected. The authorities gave him the proposals and directed him to lay them before this assembly.
“The second was made by a foreigner—a man of good family in Europe, and a most daring and courageous man, an educated soldier, who had been successful in very many daring enterprises heretofore. His proposition was read to the assembly, being a verbatim copy of the one this party had made to the President of the Confederacy through the Confederate Secretary of War, which was as follows:
“'Secretary of War of the Southern Confederacy.
“'Sir: In reference to the subject upon which I had the
honor to converse with you yesterday, and on account of
which you bade me call to-day, I take herewith the freedom
to address this most respectful writing to you. Your Honor
seemed to hesitate in giving me an affirmative answer to my
statement because I was unknown to you. Permit me to remark
that, notwithstanding I can give you no references in this
country, I am, nevertheless, worthy of your high confidence.
My grandfather, Maj. Baron De Kalb, fell in the
Revolutionary War of this country. * * * I received an
education proportionate to the means of my parents, and
served in the Crimean war as Second Lieutenant of Engineers.
* * * I landed in Quebec, Canada, in November last, and
arrived in Washington, D. C, about three weeks ago. I cannot
perceive why you should require any references or
confidence, for I do not expect personally to reap any
benefit before the strict performance of what I undertake.
The task I know is connected with some danger, but never
will it, in any event, become known in the North that the
Southern Confederacy had anything whatever to do with it.
“'The whole matter resolves itself, therefore, into this one
question: Does the Southern Confederacy consider the
explosion of the Federal Capitol at a time when Abe, his
myrmidons, and the Northern Congress are all assembled
together, of sufficient importance to grant me, in case of
success, a commission as Colonel of Topographical Engineers,
and the sum of $1,000,000? If so, your Honor may most
explicitly expect the transaction to be carried into
execution between the 4th and 6th of the month. * * * I
trust you will not press in regard to the manner in which I
intend to perform it, or anything connected with the
execution.
“'In case of an affirmative answer there is no time to
spare; and to show you still further my sincerity, I will
even refrain from asking for any pecuniary assistance in
carrying the project through, notwithstanding my means are,
for such an undertaking, very limited, and that some funds
would materially lighten my task, diminish the danger, and
doubly insure success. * * * I intend to throw myself at a
convenient place into Maryland and to enter Washington by
way of Baltimore.
“'Very respectfully, your obedient servant, “'
(Signed)
C. L. V. DeKalb.'
“Carey said that this man was in the employ of the Confederacy, but that the authorities would not adopt his scheme without the indorsement of their Northern friends, so that those friends could have warning and not be endangered at the time. This man being a foreigner, and not understanding the situation, regarded all Northern men alike and would destroy one as soon as another. Therefore, those having the authority to do so, would not accept the proposition unless due notice could be secretly given, under the obligations of the Sons of Liberty, to their friends in Congress. Carey said he thought this a very dangerous undertaking on account of the friends who might be imperiled, but felt that there was no doubt but it could be accomplished.
“Walters spoke up at this point, saying this proposition was not feasible at all, and a number assented to his remark.