Another proposes the fitting out of several swift armed steam
letters-of-marque from San Francisco, to capture the enormous Yankee
tonnage now between China, Cape Horn, Australia, and California.
The whaling fleet is the object of another. He advises sending a
heavily armed revenue cutter, when seized, to the Behring Sea to
destroy the spring whalers arriving from Honolulu too late for
any warning, from home, of the hostilities.
A number of active committees are appointed. One, of veteran
rangers, to select frontiersmen to stir up the Indians to attack
the northern overland mail stations. Another, to secretly confer
with the officers of the United States Mint, Custom-House, and
Sub-Treasury. Another, to socially engage the leading officers of
the army and navy, and win them over, or develop their real feelings.
Every man of mark in the State is listed and canvassed.
The "high priest" announces that the families of those detailed
for distant duty will be cared for by the general committee. Each
member receives the mystic tokens. Orders are issued to trace up
all stocks of arms and ammunition on the coast.
The seizure of the Panama Railroad, thus cutting off quick movement
of national troops, is discussed.
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