Scope and Contents

Including ALS, from John Tyler, Jr., City of New York, New York, to General John O'Neil, the President, and Mr. James Gibbons, the Vice-President ofthe Fenian Brotherhood, New York City, New York. Acting by their instructions, following is a report of what he [JT] did; first, went to Memphis and conferred with N. B. Forrest, G. J. Pillow, and I. G. Harris, showing how Southern interests were supported by the Catholics, how the Fenian Brotherhood had been reorganized after Sweeny's attempt to invade Canada and the exposure of O'Mahoney and Stephens, an dstood ready with government and army to take over a British possession and set up its own government, and how the Fenians and the South could maintain their constitutional liberties if they cooperated; is anxious to cooperate with anyone who will help the South prevent the Radicals from taking over poltically and economically; left Memphis and travelled to New Orleans where he met with General Beauregard, who was sympathetic with the Fenians' objectives; offered him the position of commander-in-chief; Beauregard declined on account of his health; then went to see General Richard Taylor, who declined to join because of his parole; offered Raphael Semmes the command of the naval forces, which he declined fortime being; Beauregard had given him introductions to J.B. Gordon and Wade Hampton, so he approached them; also spoke briefly to Robert Tyler and General [James Holt] Clanton about the Fenian cause; many expressed doubts about the propriety of attacking Canada; approached Joseph E. Johnston, who is occupied with writing a book abd loath to start another war; since arriving in New York City, has again talked with General Beauregard and hopes to persuade him to give them [i.e. Gibbons and O'Neil] his thoughts on the subject; invited John C. Brown to the meeting in New York City; thinks it would be a mistake to invade Canada before the November Elections, for fear such invasion would promote the Radical cause in the U.S.; also it would lead to a religious war, and restrictions on the Catholic Churcg ub teg U.S.; those encouraging them in their enterprise are trying to get them and their Democratic votes out of the country so that the Radicals can be elected to office; if the Democrats are elected to power, they might make war on England an dthen their plan to invade Canada would be welcomed. 46 pp. Also including AN, "Report of John Tyler, Jr., ...associated with his mission South." 1 p.