[749] *Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General, to Mr. Fish, Secretary of State.
Washington , May 18, 1869.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, inclosing a copy of a translation of a note of the 12th [Page 731] instant, addressed to the Department of State by Mr. Evariste La Roche, chargé d’affaires of Hayti, all relating to the steamer Florida at Chester, Pennsylvania. A copy of the translation of the note has been by me sent to the Secretary of the Treasury, that he may issue any instructions to the collector of the customs for the revenue district within which Chester is situated that he deems best. Instructions relating to this steamer have already been sent by this office to the marshal and attorney of the United States for the eastern district of Pennsylvania.
The United States attorneys and marshals are instructed to receive any information that may be offered tending to show that any violation of, the neutrality laws has been committed or attempted, as well as to be attentive themselves to any matters of suspicion that may come within their knowledge, and whenever complaint is made against any vessel on trustworthy evidence sufficient to establish before a court of justice, probable cause to believe that, such vessel is forfeitable for a violation of the neutrality laws, they are instructed to file a libel and detain the vessel. The propriety of your informing Mr. La Roche-that he may communicate any facts within his knowledge relating to a violation of the neutrality laws directly to a United States attorney, is submitted for your consideration
[750] *Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Attorney-General.
Hon. Hamilton Fish,
Secretary of State.