There is something terrible, or, at least, alarming in conception awakened by the names of _clans_ and _bands_; but different as regards _rings_ and _cliques_. These last control legislation the executives and cabinets, and nearly the whole of the judicial rings. They are the arbiters of aspirants of every description—generally according to the price or consideration offered. But there is yet another lower grade of rings and cliques, composed of subordinate officers, picayune members of the bar, and low-down reckless strikers. When money or other sorts of gain is to be made, these strikers are set to work, and if they become involved in law difficulties, the cheap lawyers, with the assistance of the officials, are always at hand to liberate the offending culprits. Former methods of murder, conflagration and high-handed robbery have been exchanged for more intricate forms of conquest and gain. Whoever ventures an exposure of the fashionable vices of influential circles—whoever assails the citadels and strongholds of crime and corruption, must not expect to elude numerous and deep-laid conspiracies for the sacrifice of life, which, if he escape falling a victim, he will be more than fortunate. Even so far, the author has bitterly experienced all this. The marvel is that he is yet alive and determined to continue in stronger terms than before exhibited—relying on invincible truth and the better portions of society to bear him up through the ordeal which he has to encounter. Although he has suffered much, and has had many “hair-breadth escapes” from the plots and snares laid for his destruction. The subsequent part of the Appendix will inform the reader of several infernal concoctions for assassination when attempts at intimidation failed. The first of these will embrace particulars in the period betwixt the publication and the author’s arrest, and the other about three years after the trial had terminated. The period betwixt publication and arrest cannot be devoid of interest to the reader—it is a prelude to the important trial which followed. The incidents involved during the time here referred to have ponderous bearings, in a circumstantial point of view, toward establishing the substantial correctness of Copeland’s confessions, although intended to invalidate them and make a nullity of the whole. During imprisonment Copeland seemed to fully comprehend the profound plans and commanding power of one by the name of Shoemake. This is the man who played so conspicuous a part before and on trial in combination with the three prosecuting parties of Mobile. The arch-enemy of all mankind cannot surpass him in perfidious deception. “With smooth dissimulation well skilled to grace, A devil’s purpose with an angel’s face.”