November 5.
Parker H. French, alias Lieut. Carlisle Murray, alias Charles Maxy, who had been travelling in various parts of the West and North, for the purpose chiefly of organizing the order known as the Knights of the Golden Circle, was arrested in Branford, Connecticut, by the superintendent of the Government detective police from Washington and detective Franklin, of Philadelphia. He had been in Branford and vicinity for some weeks, under the alias of Maxy, had organized a lodge of “Knights,” and had succeeded in estranging many from loyalty to the Government. The Boston Post says: “In his possession were found the Constitution and By-Laws of the Golden Circle, and entire authority from parties at the South for organizing the institution. [68] He also had many other documents of interest and importance. Among them were letters purporting to be from Jeff. Davis, Emerson Etheridge, Parson Brownlow, and others, most of which are doubtless forgeries. He is believed to have had much genuine correspondence with influential secessionists. French was one of Walker's right-hand men in the Nicaraguan affair. Through a forged letter in the name of Parson Brownlow, he obtained the sum of one thousand dollars from Amos Lawrence, of this city, the money being given in support of the Parson's somewhat famous paper. He has figured in various schemes of villany, particularly in California.” French was sent to Fort Warren.--National Intelligencer, November 9.
Brig.-Gen. W. Nelson, in command of the Union forces, occupied Prestonburg, Ky., and proclaimed the jurisdiction of the State and protection to the civil authorities.--(Doc. 131.)
