The Federal espionage in Virginia
There was a mistake in the date of Mr. Superintendent Kennedy's inquisitorial letter to the Assistant Marshal of one of the Districts in South-Side Virginia, as printed by us yesterday. To correct this, and to do justice also to the conclusion, which is much more cordial than as already printed, we republish the interesting missive:"Census office, Department
of the Interior,
Washington, January 23d, 1861.
"Dear Sir:
Will you have the kindness to inform me, without any delay, regarding the opinion of the people in your sub-division, respecting secession, and what character of delegates you will send to the State Convention.
"I will reciprocate the favor when occasion permits.
"Dear Sir:
This very cordial letter, to a young Virginian whom the Superintendent had never seen, is a sample of very many that we have heard of, addressed to other Assistant Marshals in the State. Mr. Kennedy is the cordial friend of them all. This affectionate style is employed to tickle the young census-takers and induce a more ready sliding into the confidence and purposes of the spy at the headquarters of the department to which they are attached. This proceeding, in advance of the elections, had its purpose. It was to take the measure of Virginia's foot as early as possible, with a view to some prompt movement to fit it. How far, in after times, should we remain in the Government under a sectional party suspecting our fidelity, the Government office-holders in this State may consent to aid a system of espionage upon our people, we are of opinion that in the present instance Mr. Superintendent Kennedy has gained very little information from the Assistant Marshals!
