Lake Erie, to surprise Johnson's Island, and set free the prisoners of war confined there, and to proceed with them to attack Buffalo. Ogdensburg is also connected by the Governor- General in some way with this hostile movement of the rebels and their aiders and abettors. Please obtain what information you can on the subject and communicate it to this Department.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, D. C., November 11, 1863.

Major-General COX,

Commanding in Ohio, Columbus or Cincinnati:

The British minister, Lord Lyons, has to-night officially notified the Government that, from telegraphic information received from the Governor-General of Canada, there is reason to believe that a plot is on foot by persons hostile to the United States, who have found an asylum in Canada, to invade the United States and destroy the city of Buffalo; that they propose to take possession of some of the steam-boats on Lake erie, to surprise Johnson's Island, and set free the prisoners of war confined there, and to proceed with them to attack Buffalo. You will proceed immediately to Sandusky and take such measures for the security of the prisoners and the protection of the northern frontier of Ohio against invasion by rebels and their aiders and abettors from Canada as circumstances may require, reporting fully to this Department any information which you may have upon the subject. You are authorized to call upon the Governor of Ohio for any volunteer force that may be required, and to make requisition upon this Department for any ordnance, arms, or other supplies that may be necessary.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, D. C., November 11, 1863.

Major-General BROOKS,

Commanding, & c., Pittsburg, Pa.:

The British minister, Lord Lyons, has to-night officially notified the Government that, from telegraphic information received from the Governor-General of Canada, there is reason to believe that a plot is on foot by persons hostile to the United States, who have found an asylum in Canada, to invade the United States and destroy the city of Buffalo; that they propose to take possession of some of the steam-boats on Lake Erie, to surprise Johnson's Island, and set free the prisoners of war confined there, and to proceed with them to attack Buffalo. You will proceed immediately to the city of Erie, Pa., with any military force you may have at your command, ascertain what information can be had there in reference to this subject, and report to this Department what means you deem necessary to protect the northern frontier of Pennsylvania from attack by the rebels or their aiders and abettors from Canada. You will acknowledge the receipt of this order, and the hour at which it is received, and report when you leave Pittsburg.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.