Mr. Harlow, United States marshal, to Mr. Fish, Secretary of State.

Sir: I have the honor to report that on the evening of the 24th instant, by order of the United States district court of the southern district of New York, I seized, and now have in my custody, thirty vessels known as the Spanish gun-boats, now lying at foot of Thirteenth street, North River.

I have live watchmen engaged night and day, and have hired a tugboat, which is in charge of one of my deputies, with a gun, gunner, and ammunition on board, kindly furnished by Admiral Godon, commanding the navy-yard at Brooklyn.

[774] *I have arranged a code of signals between my boat and the United States gun-boat Frolic, lying in the harbor, in case any attempt should be made to get the Spanish vessels to sea.

The utmost vigilance shall be exercised by myself and deputies to prevent the escape of these gun-boats. In this matter I am incurring an expense of $35 per day.

For perfect security I should prefer that a revenue-cutter or Navy gun-boat should be detailed to be alongside these vessels, in place of the improvised gun-boat which I now have.

Admiral Godon cannot furnish me one without an order from the Department.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. R. HARLOW,
United States Marshal

Hon. Hamilton Fish,
Secretary of State.