We have not been able to learn the name of the vessel, but two men who represent themselves as enlisted for the service propose furnishing information if they can be compensated for it. Upon the information I have received, I have directed the collector of customs at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to make such search as is in his power for the purpose of ascertaining the facts. I am, very truly, yours, &e., &c., Hon. HAMILTON FISH, GEO. S. BOUTWELL, Secretary of State. Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June 24, 1869. SIR: I have received your letter of to-day, representing that a vessel is fitting out in Philadelphia for the revolutionists in Cuba, and that two men, claiming to have been enlisted for that service, offer information if paid therefor. In reply, I have to state that this Department will cause a reasonable sum to be paid for the information referred to. [67] *A copy of your letter has been sent to the Attorney-General. I am, dear sir, yours, &c., &c., Hon. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL, HAMILTON FISH. Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury, to Mr. Moore, collector. HENRY D. MOORE, Esq., [Telegram.] WASHINGTON, June 24, 1869. Collector of Customs, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : I have reason to believe that a vessel with armament and an unusually large number of men is in your port, with the design to leave to-day or to-morrow in aid of the insurgents of Cuba. Name of vessel not known, nor other particulars. Have search made, and report. GEO. S. BOUTWELL. Mr. Huckel, deputy collector, to Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury. CUSTOM-HOUSE, PHILADELPHIA, Collector's Office, June 24, 1869. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of this date relative to suspicious vessels fitting out at this port in aid of the insurgents of Cuba, and respectfully beg leave to say that the revenue steamer Seward was directed some ten days since to keep a diligent watch on two certain vessels that had attracted the suspicions of some of the officers of the revenue. [68] I have directed the surveyor to instruct the officers under his charge to use due diligence, and no efforts will be spared to prevent a violation of the neutrality laws. I am, very respectfully, yours, &c., Hon. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL, B. HUCKEL. Deputy Collector of Customs. Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Pierrepont, district attorney. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June 26, 1869. SIR: I have laid before the President your letter of yesterday, referring to the violence perpetrated on the deputy marshal who had the custody of Colonel Ryan, and also on the marshal's officer in charge of the Quaker City. He directs me to say that, under all circumstances, the officers of the law are expected to discharge their duty faithfully, vigorously, and legally, and that they will be sustained by the Government while so doing; and that the power of the Government will be exercised to the extent needed for their protection in such discharge of duty, or in vindication of the majesty of the law. [69] He desires such further and more detailed *information as you may be able to furnish with respect 1. To the violence on the officer in charge of Ryan; 2. To the violence on the officer in charge of the Quaker City: 3. The attempts to intimidate or influence the grand jury; 4. The sending of any threatening letters; to enable him to adopt such measures as may be proper; He requests that you will suggest the course of action that occurs to you, with your more intimate knowledge of the facts and acquaintance with the attendant circumstances, as the most expedient to vindicate the past outrages, and to prevent the recurrence of similar violations of the laws. You will be pleased, in this connection, to consider the propriety or expediency of the offer of a reward for the arrest of the parties guilty of the outrages upon the marshal's officer, or for evidence that may lead to the arrest and conviction of such guilty parties. Very respectfully, yours, Hon. EDWARDS, PIERREPONT, [70] United States Attorney New Yrko. HAMILTON FISH. Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Pierrepont, district attorney. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Hon. EDWARDS PIERREPONT, District Attorney, New York: Mr. Barlow, United States marshal, to Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General. [Telegram.] ATTORNEY-GENERAL, Washington: NEW YORK, June 28, 1869. On Saturday night an expedition tried to get off. The men went aboard several tugs to be transferred no doubt to a large vessel. We could not track the tugs in the fog, though we were carefully watching the harbor. I have no idea anything got to sea. I seized the Catharine Whiting, because I think it probable that she was to take off these meu. I do not think I have got enough proof for the courts to hold her. But I think that to let her go until I am satisfied that she is not going to take off these men, will be deliberately to let an expedition slip. I may get more particulars this morning which will satisfy me that I am wrong. Otherwise I shall detain her without process until instructed by you to let her go. I again earnestly ask the use of some of the navy-yard tugs. FRANCIS C. BARLOW, United States Marshal. [71] *Mr. Barlow, United States marshal, to Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General. [Telegram.] ATTORNEY-GENERAL, Washington: NEW YORK, June 28, 1869. I have arrested General Goicuria, said to be the leader of the expedition on board the Whiting, under an assumed name, and the vessel has been libeled. FRANCIS C. BARLOW, United States Marshal. Mr. Barlow, United States marshal, to Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General. [Telegram.] NEW YORK, June 28, 1869. The tugs are at Gardner's Point, on Long Island, opposite New London, waiting for the Catharine Whiting. Will you telegraph at once to the United States revenue-cutter at New London to obey my orders? I want to send her over to detain the tugs. Please answer. FRANCIS C. BARLOW. Mr. Pierrepont, district attorney, to Mr. Fish, Secretary of State. [Telegram.] Hon. HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State: [72] NEW YORK, June 29, 1869. Colonel Ryan, with his expedition of some four hundred men, will be captured by the revenue-*cutters, which we have dispatched. They will reach here this night. What shall we do with all these men? Please read the eighth section of the neutrality act, 3d Statutes, page 419. You will see that the President has full power, and so have such other persons as he shall have empowered for that purpose, to employ such part of the land or naval forces of the United States, or of the militia thereof, for the purpose of taking possession of any such ship. or vessel, &c. Please communicate this forthwith to the President, and say that the forces are so large that unless the President will use his powers, or delegate the same as provided in this act, we must give up any further attempts to stop expeditions at large. ED. PIERREPONT, United States Attorney. Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to the President. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June 29, 1869. The Secretary of State has the honor to lay before the President the inclosed telegram of this date, just received from Mr. Pierrepont, asking instructions as to steps to be taken in regard to Colonel Ryan and his expeditionary party of four hundred men at New York.' [73] *Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Pierrepont, district attorney. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Hon. EDWARDS PIERREPONT, United States District Attorney, No. 41 Chambers street, and at 103 Fifth avenue, New York: By order of the President, the captured vessels, with the men engaged in the unlawful expedition, will be taken to the navy-yard at Brooklyn, and there put under the charge and control of the officer in command of the yard, who is empowered by the President, by virtue of the power for that purpose in him vested, to employ such part of the naval forces of the United States as are under his command, for the purpose of taking possession of and detaining such ship or vessel for the purposes intended by law. By order of the President: HAMILTON FISH, For inclosure see preceding letter. Mr. Pierrepont, district attorney, to Mr. Fish, Secretary of State. [Telegram.] NEW YORK, June 30, 1869. Hon. HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State: Your order has been received. The men are now at the navy-yard under arrest. [74] Your order came in good time, and was greatly * needed in the absence of the Secretary. Let this forthwith be delivered to the President. EDWARDS PIERREPONT, Mr. Pierrepont, district attorney, to Mr. Fish, Secretary of State. Hon. HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State: NEW YORK, June 30, 1869. Under your orders, as the President directed, the prisoners, about one hundred and sixty in number, have been turned over to the admiral in command of the navy-yard. A third tug is on its way with other prisoners and will take the same course. I have just returned from an interview with the admiral at the navy-yard. Colonel Ryan is believed to be concealed in one of the tugs. Search is being made. The admiral will write for full orders from the President. Yours, respectfully, EDWARDS PIERREPONT, [75] *Mr. Field, Assistant Attorney-General, to Mr. Fish, Secretary of State. ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S OFFICE, SIR: I have the honor to transmit, herewith, copies of telegrams received last night and this morning from the United States marshal for the southern district of New York. These telegrams have been communicated to the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of the Navy has been requested to keep the Whiting safely at the navy yard in Brooklyn. Very respectfully, Hon. HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State. W. A. FIELD, Acting Attorney-General. |