Mr. Seward to Mr.
Stuart.
Department of State,
Washington,
September 18, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your note of the 16th instant in regard to Francis Carroll,
and it gives me much pleasure to admit all the liberality and candor of
the sentiments upon that subject which you have expressed.
I transmit, herewith, a note relating to the same case, which I have just
received from Major Turner, assistant judge advocate general, to whom
the subject of Carroll’s detention was referred by the honorable
Secretary of War. In view of the additional light thrown upon the case
by this letter, and of the further fact that the invading insurgents who
entered Maryland for the purpose of producing an armed uprising of the
disloyal inhabitants there have not yet left the State, I have felt
obliged to acquiesce in the opinion of the War Department, that it would
be hazardous to the public safety to discharge Francis Carroll from
confinement at the present time. I will, however, with pleasure, recur
to the subject after some little delay, if you desire it.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your obedient
servant,
Hon. Wm. Stuart,
&c., &c., &c.
Major Turner to Mr. Seward.
War Department,
Washington City,
September 17, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your note of the 15th instant, in relation to Francis
Carroll, with the enclosures therein named, and in answer thereto,
and additional to my communication of the 5th instant upon the same
subject, respectfully to say: That since the 5th instant, by order
of the Secretary of War, I have examined the persons imprisoned at
Fort Lafayette for alleged political offences, and among the persons
examined was Francis Carroll. He claimed to be a British subject and
in nowise amenable to the United States government. He said he would
not take an oath to abstain from rendering aid and comfort to the
rebellion, because, owing no allegiance to the United States, he had
the right to aid and assist “either side,” at his pleasure. He is an
Irishman, of unusual volubility, and apparently, by his language and
conduct, a desperate and reckless person.
Although it may not be strictly within the rules of official
correspondence, I will take the liberty to state that the commandant
at Fort Lafayette informed me that Carroll addressed a letter to the
British consulate at New York, asking intervention and protection,
if they had time, aside from wine and women,
to give it, and that the answer thereto was, that if he used
language as impertinent and insulting to the United States
officials, his imprisonment was merited
There may not be any objection to discharging Carroll on condition
that he will leave the United States, as suggested in the postscript
of your note, provided it be desired, and reliable assurance or
guarantee be given that he shall not return; but in times like the
present, I am quite sure that persons of such desperate and reckless
character had better be under restraint, for the better preservation
of the peace and good order of all nationalities.
With assurances that your suggestions and recommendations in this
regard
[Page 293]
will be promptly
followed, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
L. C. TURNER, Judge
Advocate.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
