a letter of the 18th instant, addressed to this Department by the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting a copy of a communication addressed to him by the collector of customs at New York stating that a clearance had been refused to the steamer Columbia [Quaker City] "because of suspicious circumstances connected with her." I am, sir, with, &c., Señor Don M. LOPEZ ROBERTS, &c., dc. HAMILTON FISH. [61] * Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of Treasury, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, with its accompaniment, in relation to the refusal of a clearance to the steamer Columbia [Quaker City,] and to inform you that I have transmitted a copy of the same to Mr. Roberts, the Spanish minister, for his information. I have the honor to be, &c., Hon. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL, Secretary of the Treasury. HAMILTON FISH. Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury, to Mr. Grinnell, collector. [Telegram.] WASHINGTON, May 21, 1869. MOSES H. GRINNELL, Collector of Customs, New York: If the Columbia has not cleared, withhold papers till further orders. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL. Secretary of the Treasury. [62] *Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, May 25, 1869. SIR: Mr. Thornton, the British minister accredited to this Government, having represented to me that the steamer Quaker City is laden with flour, that she has been transferred to a British subject and is bound for Jamaica, I submit to you the propriety of instructing the collector of customs at New York to interpose no obstacles to her departure, upon bonds being given that she will not engage in any proceedings which will give aid or support to any parties prosecuting hostile movements against any government with which that of the United States is at peace. I have the honor to be, sir, yours, &c., Hon. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL, Secretary of the Treasury. HAMILTON FISH. Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General, to Mr. Pierrepont, district attorney. WASHINGTON, June 17, 1869. SIR: The Spanish minister writes to the State Department that an armed expedition for Cuba is fitting out in New York, to sail in a day or two. You will please to use all efforts to prevent it, and instruct the marshal to do the same. Respectfully, yours, &c., Hon. E. PIERREPONT, United States Attorney, New York. E. R. HOAR, Attorney-General. [63] *Mr. Pierrepont, district attorney, to Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General. [Telegram.] NEW YORK, June 18, 1869. SIR: Yours of the seventeenth in relation to the Cuban expedition is received. Action had already been taken by me. EDWARDS PIERREPONT, United States Attorney. Hou. E. R. HOAR, Attorney-General, Washington. Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Roberts, Spanish minister. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June 18, 1869. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday, relative to the alleged fitting out, in the city of New York, of a military expedition for the purpose of joining the insurgents in Cuba, and to inform you, in reply, that immediately upon its receipt a copy thereof was brought to the attention of the Attorney-General, who, it is not doubted, has taken the necessary precautions to prevent the departure of the expedition referred to, should the statements contained in your note be found to be correct. I am, sir, with the highest consideration, your obedient servant, Señor Don M. LOPEZ ROBERTS, de., dc. HAMILTON FISH. [64]* Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June 19, 1869. SIR: I lose no time in laying before you the original of a note of yes terday, addressed to this Department by Mr. Roberts, the minister from Spain, relative to alleged illegal proceedings at New York with reference to Cuba. Your prompt attention to the matter is earnestly requested. I have understood from Mr. Roberts that he can furnish witnesses of the acts which he complains. I will thank you to return his note. I have the honor to be, sir, yours, &c., Hon. E. R. HOAR, HAMILTON FISH. Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Roberts, Spanish minister. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June 19, 1869. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday's date, relative to alleged illegal proceedings at New York with reference to Cuba. It was at once submitted for perusal to the AttorneyGeneral of the United States, who, in a communication which I have ust received from him, states that you should cause to be prepared an affidavit of the person or persons who know the facts stated in [65] your paper, *to be laid before the district attorney at New York forthwith. Without such an affidavit, that officer would not have the means of procuring the indictment and arrest of the persons implicated. The Attorney General further states that he will telegraph to the marshal at New York to keep a watch upon the place referred to. I am, sir, with the highest consideration, yours, &c., HAMILTON FISH. Señor Don M. LOPEZ ROBERTS, d'c., &c., &'c. Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General, to Mr. Barlow, United States marshal. [Telegram.] WASHINGTON, June 19, 1869. FRANCIS C. BARLOW, United States Marshal, New York City: Military expedition, to sail within two days, reported as organizing at 71 Broadway, room 36 at 636 Broadway, at 12 East Houston street, and in New York Casino, same street. Look out for them. E. R. HOAR, Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury, to Mr. Fish, Secretary of State. [66] TREASURY DEPARTMENT, June 24, 1869. DEAR SIR: Our detectives inform us that a vessel is fitting out in Philadelphia with munitions of war, and taking on board a considerable number of men destined to aid the revolutionists in Cuba. 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, &c., &c., Hon. HAMILTON FISH, GEO. S. BOUTWELL, Secretary of the Treasury. 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. [Telegram.] HENRY D. MOORE, Esq., 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, 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 sus [68] picions of some of the officers of the * revenue. 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, Washington, June 26, 1869. Hon. EDWARDS PIERREPONT, District Attorney, New York : |