Mr. Pierrepont, district attorney, to Mr. Fish, Secretary of State.
Hon. Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State:
[72] Colonel Ryan, with his expedition of some four hundred men, will be captured by the revenue-cutters, which we have dispatched.
[Page 794]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 449. 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.
United States Attorney.