report of the prisoners who have been taken and released on their oath of allegiance to the United States at this post. am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major Fourth Artillery, Commanding Post. [Inclosure.] Nathaniel Stephens, released June 29, 1861, on parole of honor; Timothy Corbett, released July 9, 1861, on parole of honor; Frederick Ellenbrook, released July 11, 1861, on oath of allegiance; John L. Hebb, released July 13, 1861, on parole of honor; James Clayton, released July 16, 1861, on oath of allegiance; Richard F. Moran, released July 16, 1861, on oath of allegiance; Samuel Ogle Tilghman, released July 16, 1861, on parole of honor; Charles D. Hinks, released July 6, 1861, on parole of honor; Eugene Higgins, released July 26, 1861, on parole of honor. The above report is correct. W. W. MORRIS, Major Fourth Artillery, Commanding Post. An act of the U. S. Congress, approved July 31, 1861. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That if two or more persons within any State or Territory of the United States shall conspire together to overthrow or to put down or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against the United States, or to oppose by force the authority of the Government of the United States, or by force to prevent, hinder or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take or possess any property of the United States against the will or contrary to the authority of the United States, or by force or intimidation or threat to prevent any person from accepting or holding any office or trust or place of confidence under the United States, each and every person so offending shall be guilty of a high crime and upon conviction thereof in any district or circuit court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof or district or supreme court of any Territory of the United States having jurisdiction thereof shall be punished by a fine not less than $500 and not more than $5,000, or by imprisonment with or without hard labor as the court shall determine for a period not less than six months nor greater than six years, or by such fine and imprisonment. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 1, 1861. Lieut. Gen. WINFIELD SCOTT, Washington. GENERAL: I am directed to communicate to you for your information and guidance the accompanying copy of an order of the President of the United States of yesterday relative to political prisoners in forts of the United States. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. (Same to Secretary of the Interior, marshal of the United States for the southern district of New York and marshal of the United States for the district of Maryland, Baltimore.) [Inclosure.] EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, July 31, 1861. The marshals of the United States in the vicinity of forts where political prisoners are held will supply decent lodging and subsistence for such prisoners unless they shall prefer to provide in those respects for themselves, in which cases they will be allowed to do so by the commanding officers in charge. Approved, and the Secretary of State will transmit the order to marshals, the lieutenant-general and the Secretary of the Interior. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Resolution adopted by the House of Representatives August 1, 1861. Whereas it is currently reported that the forces now in rebellion against the Government have imprisoned loyal citizens of the United States, and among others Hon. Alfred Ely, one of the members of this House: Resolved, That the President be requested to furnish this House any information he may have upon this subject. WASHINGTON, August 2, 1861. TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of yesterday requesting information regarding the imprisonment of loyal citizens of the United States by the forces now in rebellion against this Government, I transmit a report from the Secretary of State and the copy of a telegraphic dispatch by which it was accompanied. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. [Inclosure No. 1.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 2, 1861. The PRESIDENT: The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the House of Representatives of yesterday requesting the President to furnish to that House any information he may have in his possession on the subject of the forces now in rebellion against the Government having in imprisonment loyal citizens of the United States, and among others the Hon. Alfred Ely,* one of the members of the House of Representatives from the State of New York, has the honor to report to the President that the only information possessed by this Department on the subject is contained in a telegraphic dispatch, a copy of which is annexed. Respectfully submitted. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Mr. Ely was captured at Bull Run July 21, 1861. [Inclosure No. 2.] RICHMOND, VA., July 31, 1861. Hon. W. H. SEWARD: I am here a prisoner. Ely, Arnold Harris and Magraw are also here. C. HUSON, JR. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Hon. W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State. SIR: In reply to your note of this morning* I respectfully suggest that among the persons who have just arrived at New York from California, mentioned in the newspaper slip inclosed in that note, I think it desirable that John Adams, a native of Tennessee, who recently resigned a captaincy in the U. S. First Regiment of Dragoons, be arrested and held a political prisoner, as I do not doubt that he designs to take service in the rebel army against us. There is no similar reason for confining medical officers even when taken as prisoners of war. I have the honor to be, sir, with high respect, your obedient servant, WINFIELD SCOTT. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Lieut. Col. MARTIN BURKE, U. S. Army, SIR: * * The general also directs that you receive and take charge of any political prisoners or prisoners of war who may be deliv ered or sent to you by the U. S. marshal or by any department commander. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 5, 1861. Hon. WILLIAM STUART, &c. SIR: I have had the honor to receive your note* of the 1st instant, setting forth that British officers and seamen captured in vessels charged with attempting to run the blockade have without necessity been confined in military prisons and common gaols as prisoners of war; that they have been robbed of their effects, and that an attempt appears to have been made to get certain colored seamen of the Mersey out of the way in order to prevent their giving testimony in favor of the owners. In reply I have the honor to acquaint you that Her Majesty's Government does no more than justice to the Government of the United States in supposing that it could never sanction such practices and that if in any case it shall be made to appear that a British subject has been treated with undue harshness all proper reparation shall be made. Immediate inquiry with this view shall consequently at once be made *Not found. in the proper quarter. Meanwhile, however, I would remark that it seems so improbable that anything which the mariners on board captured vessels would be likely to have would tempt the cupidity of those who may have had those persons in their power that this charge may in advance be pronounced as of questionable foundation. I have the honor to be, sir, your very obedient servant, HEADQUARTERS DIVISION OF THE POTOMAC, Col. A. PORTER, Provost-Marshal, &c., Washington, D. C. SIR: The general commanding directs that you have in charge the surveillance of all persons in this city who are disposed inimically to the Government. You will exercise a wise discretion in making arrests, and all cases will be reported directly to these headquarters. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. V. COLBURN, Assistant Adjutant-General. STATE OF OHIO, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Hon. SIMON CAMERON, SIR: There are now and have been for some time a number of prisoners at Camp Chase who were arrested in Western Virginia under orders of commanding officers. I desire to know what are the principles governing their discharge. There are among them men who may properly be set at liberty, and you will please advise what steps may properly be taken for that purpose and on whose authority discharges may be issued. I have not taken any charge of these prisoners but have in all cases on their arrival here turned them over to the U. S. officers. I am pressed every day for papers granting discharges and I trust you will give this your immediate attention. Very respectfully, W. DENNISON. HEADQUARTERS DIVISION OF THE POTOMAC, Brig. Gen. A. PORTER, Provost-Marshal, Washington, D. C. GENERAL: I am directed by the major-general commanding to say that in addition to your other duties he desires you if possible to intercept all letters and communications sent to or coming from Virginia otherwise than through the proper channels. He desires also that all persons supposed to be in correspondence with or who are disposed in any way to aid the enemy be carefully watched. Much discretion should be used in arresting such persons. You are authorized to employ citizen detectives to aid you in performing the above duties. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. V. COLBURN, Assistant Adjutant-General. CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, The writ of habeas corpus has been suspended in order to enable every commander to guard against the treasonable designs of persons disloyal to the Government of the United States, particularly agents and spies, persons engaged in furnishing information to or in other treasonable correspondence with the enemy or in inciting insurrection or rebellion. Care will be taken to guard against any abuse of this power by unauthorized arrests or by any annoyances to peaceable and well-disposed citizens, and except in the case of overt acts arrests will only be made by the superior commander of every district, post or body of troops in the service of the United States, and only upon probable cause of suspicion of being dangerous to the public safety. When arrests are made the person arrested will immediately be examined and if there be no ground for suspicion will be released; if otherwise held in confinement until his case is disposed of by the proper authorities. If there be evidence of treason or misprision of treason he will be turned over to the civil courts for trial. In the execution of these duties the troops will at all times unite with and assist the civil authorities in maintaining order throughout the country. By order of Col. E. R. S. Canby: A. L. ANDERSON, Second Lieut., Fifth Infantry, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. OFFICE AMERICAN TELEGRAPH COMPANY, B. P. SNYDER, Manager, and You will receive instructions relating to the conduct of Government telegraphing and the restrictions upon other business from Hon. Thomas A. Scott, Assistant Secretary of War and general manager of military telegraphs. You will not permit any telegram relating to late, present or contemplated movements of the Army or any part thereof to pass over the lines excepting official messages sent by military commanders. The former rule permitting such army information as appeared in the Washington papers to be telegraphed is rescinded. You will require of every one in the employ of the company having access to messages to take the oath of allegiance and secrecy as per form furnished by Mr. Scott. Great caution must be used in forwarding and receiving Government cipher and other messages. In all cases of the slightest doubt have the message repeated until its correctness is clear. If messages be sent in with illegible words return them for explanation. You will not permit any one not directly and necessarily connected with the office to have access to messages or the operating room or its immediate vicinity unless duly authorized by the Government telegraph manager. Any information you may obtain which appears of importance to Government is to be communicated directly to Mr. Scott. Respectfully, E. S. SANFORD, President. |