few years, and that the new taxes are as much as the people ought to be expected to carry. Until the Mississippi debt is settled the credit of the South is just nothing at all. I remain, yours, very truly, EDWARD HASLENWOOD. [Inclosure No. 4.] 7 LOTHBURY, EAST CHELSEA, LONDON, April 27, 1861 JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Southern Confederacy, Montgomery, Ala. SIR: It may so happen after all that the Southern Confederacy may again pass into and become part of the United States of America, and if so the opportunity ought not to be lost for merging the debts of the individual States into one common homogeneous debt, including Mississippi, and also insisting on a great reduction of the tariff. Apparently the credit of the United States is at a low ebb, but let the whole be once more united and I have no hesitation in stating that a loan could be raised bearing 4 per cent. interest large enough to absorb the whole of the States' debts (including Mississippi), and that the price of that stock would soon be higher than any of the Southern 6 per cents or Northern 5 per cents of the separate States. Another point of great importance would be to stipulate that the number of States in the Senate should be equal for the South as for the North. To effect this there must be ultimately an extension by purchase or conquest of Mexico, and nothing would give greater satisfaction in Europe than to see the whole of that country absorbed into the States, provided that the debt of Mexico was acknowledged and guarantied. The peon law of Mexico is not far removed from the slavery of the South. I remain, your most obedient servant, EDWARD HASLENWOOD. OFFICE U. S. DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR Hon. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War. The companies mildly protested in order to place themselves right before their customers, but they and their counsel made no serious objec tion to the proceeding and now appear willing to afford every facility in their power to aid the object of the Government. I inclose a copy of my letter to the marshal upon which he has acted. [Inclosure.] OFFICE U. S. DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR ROBERT MURRAY, Esq., U. S. Marshal. SIR: In pursuance of instructions received from Washington you are directed on behalf of the United States Government to obtain possession of any telegraphic dispatches that may have been sent or received with purposes hostile to the Government or in relation to supplies of arms and provisions purchased or forwarded to the Southern rebels. Upon obtaining possession of these dispatches should the record or file in which they are included also embrace other telegraphic dispatches having no connection with this subject you are authorized to assent to the packages which may be taken by you being sealed, to be opened and examined on the part of the United States Government upon notice to the telegraph agent from whom you receive them. You will take this proceeding at 3 o'clock p. m. to-day, and do so simultaneously at all the offices in this city where such dispatches are to be found. Your prompt and energetic action in the matter is requested and will be expected. Very respectfully, E. DELAFIELD SMITH, U. S. District Attorney. OFFICE U. S. DISTRICT ATTORNEY Hon. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. Q. KEASBEY, OFFICE U. S. ATTORNEY EASTERN DISTRICT PENNSYLVANIA, Philadelphia, May 21, 1861. Hon. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War. SIR: I have the honor to report that on yesterday at 3 o'clock p. m. Marshal William Millward by my directions took charge of all dispatches sent to the South from any source from this city since the 1st of January last. The gentlemen controlling the various telegraph lines being loyal rendered us every aid and assistance. We hold these papers subject to your order and shall meanwhile proceed to examine them. Your obedient servant, GEO. A. COFFEY, ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S OFFICE, May 22, 1861. Hon. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War. SIR: A short time since by request I sent instructions to several district attorneys toward the North to co-operate with your special agents in making effectual your orders to take possession of the written messages in various telegraph offices. Several of the attorneys have made report to me of the seizure of the papers and other reports are expected daily. Having no important matter to communicate I only notify you of these facts and of my desire to co-operate with you in full. Most respectfully, EDW. BATES. OFFICE U. S. DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR Hon. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War. It has appeared to me that the delicate and important duty of making such examination should be intrusted to a very intelligent, reliable person who could devote to it his uninterrupted efforts until the task should be methodically completed. If Col. James Cameron whose discretion and energy have been evinced in perfecting the plan of seizing the dispatches can come here charged with the duty in question I shall be glad. If not perhaps you will give me authority to employ a discreet and intelligent person at such rate of compensation as our district judge and myself shall determine to be reasonable. Awaiting your instructions or intimations on the subject, I am, with great respect, honored sir, your obedient servant, E. DELAFIELD SMITH, U. S. S. MACEDONIAN, Near Vera Cruz, May 26, 1861. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. SIR: I hereby respectfully request to resign my commission as a lieutenant in the Navy of the United States. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, [Indorsement.] W. H. WARD, Lieutenant, U. S. Navy. This resignation has been in my possession during the last month. I was too sick to forward it when it was first handed in. Respectfully, Lieutenant JAMES GLYNN, Captain. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, COMMANDING OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF THE WEST: (Care Maj. S. Williams, Asst. Adj. Gen., Saint Louis, Mo.) The Secretary of War directs that you arrest General A. S. Johnston if he returns from California by overland route. WINFIELD SCOTT. Hon. SIMON CAMERON. LOS ANGELES, CAL., June 7, 1861. DEAR SIR: I am a resident of San José, Santa Clara County, Cal., and I am in this city on business and have spent ten days here, and Í have learned that Colonel Johnston who was recently commander of the U. S. forces on this coast will leave this place next week with an armed band of secessionists for Texas with the avowed purpose of joining the traitors of Texas and the Southern Confederacy. They will pass through Arizona, thence to New Mexico, and I am informed that it is their intention to "clean out" as they express it all Union men on the route. I thought it my duty as a good citizen to post you that they may be headed off in New Mexico by the soldiers stationed there or on the border of Texas by Montgomery or Jim Lane, of Kansas. This information I believe to be reliable. They publicly state their intention to "emigrate" as they call it, but you be assured from my knowledge of some of the emigrants they are and will be ready to annihilate every Union man as soon as they leave the borders of this State where Colonel Sumner's prompt and timely arrival saved our State from a bloody war for the Union. I refer you to Hon. John F. Farnsworth, of Saint Charles, Ill. (Representative), K. S. Bingham, of the Senate, and to ex-Governor Felch, of Michigan, all of whom know me well and of my truthfulness. My name must not be used or my life would not be worth a straw. Truly, R. B. HALL. California safe for the Union. We are forming Union clubs in every city, town and hamlet. HALL. Hon. W. H. SEWARD, Washington, D. C. NEW YORK, June 11, 1861. SIR: I have in my possession evidence I think of complicity of two of our foreign ministers, one to Portugal and the other to Switzerland, while in England with the enemies of our country so strong that I think it cannot fail to convict them of treason, and if you think it important I can supply it to you if you so direct me. Very respectfully, from one of your earliest friends, HENRY SHEPARD, No. 131 East Thirteenth Street, New York. P. S.-If you should think it necessary to communicate with me please do so under cover to J. B. Jones, New York. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June 14, 1861. JOHN E. WARD, Esq., Savannah, Ga. * SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant. It has given the Department pleasure to comply with your request by giving you a passport for the purpose indicated by you, and by furnishing Mr. Spooner with the desired permit to transfer your baggage and effects to Savannah. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPT. OF NORTHEAST VIRGINIA, No. 5. Arlington, June 14, 1861. Unless under the special orders in each case of a commander of brigade or superior authority it is forbidden to any officer or soldier within this department to arrest or attempt to arrest any citizen or citizens under the plea of their being secessionists, or for any cause whatsoever save that of being at the time in arms against the United States. Nor will any officer or soldier without the like authority forcibly enter, search or attempt to search any house or the premises of any peaceable resident or other persons not in arms against the United States. The military or police force will arrest any one found trespassing even on the premises of any citizen without the department. By command of Brigadier General McDowell: JAMES B. FRY, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ANNAPOLIS, Hon. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War. SIR: The election passed without disorder but the fact is not a just indication of the spirit of the city. Active demonstrations on the part of secessionists can only be suppressed by constant readiness of our forces. We need greatly some assistance here. First. Authority to establish a home guard. There are many good Union men here who are ready to enter the service, and we have arms for them which have been taken from ill-disposed persons. They can be deposited at the custom-house under guard of our troops so as to make secure their possession. This will give occupation to the Union men and confidence to the loyal portion of the city. I think it will be prudently and safely managed. Second. We need a corps of cavalry to suppress the contraband trade on the back roads leading southward. We have not now a mounted orderly by whom to send a message even to the city. Some assistance of this kind is indispensable. The infantry can well command the railways. I have written to Mr. Secretary Chase to loan us the service of a revenue cutter for a brief period by which we could control this trade upon the river and bay. To cut off the contraband is to deprive Baltimore of the support now given publicly to the secession spirit and strip the rebel army of its most useful supplies. I beg you to think of this subject and give us prompt aid. * Not found. |