[140] *Mr. Field, Acting Attorney-General, to
Mr. Davis, Acting Secretary of
State.
Attorney-General’s
Office,
Washington
,
August 18,
1869.
Sir: I send inclosed herewith a letter
received this morning from the assistant United States attorney at
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with its inclosures, all relating to the
steamer Hornet. There are no facts known to this office except those
contained in these papers, and the telegram from Marshal Barlow, a
copy of which was sent you in my letter of the 16th instant. The
remaining papers in this office simply report the seizure and
detention of the steamer. John Fallen, esq., called upon me this
morning in behalf of the owners, asking that the steamer be
released, I think this should be done, unless there are other facts
than those known to me, and shall feel obliged if you will
communicate to me your wishes and opinion in this respect to-day,
before 2 o’clock p.m. Will you please return the papers inclosed
when you have done with them?
Very respectfully, &c.,
W. A FIELD.
Acting
Attorney-General.
Hon. J. C. B. Davis,
Acting Secretary of State.
[Inclosure No 1.]
Mr. Valentine, assistant district attorney, to Mr.
Field, Acting
Attorney-General.
Office of United States
Attorney,
[141] *Eastern
District of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
,
August 17,
1869.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose
herewith a copy of a letter from Marshal Gregory, in regard to
the steamer Hornet, together with a copy of a report made to him
in the case by John H. Young.
I have no personal knowledge of the facts in regard to this
steamer. It is proper, however, that I should state that the
marshal has acted with the utmost dispatch in the matter, and
that I am well acquainted [Page 831] with Mr. John H. Young, whom he called to his
assistance. Mr. Young was formerly a prize commissioner, having
been appointed by his honor Judge Cadwalader. He was, for many
years, master of a merchant vessel, and is peculiarly well
qualified to make the examination for the marshal. The vessel at
present is anchored at the navy-yard, under the guns of the
revenue cutter. Her detention is attended with great expense. I
therefore ask for early instructions as to her disposition. The
inclosed papers, together with those inclosed in my letter of
yesterday, contain all the facts which have come to my
knowledge. Whether there is any irregularity as to the papers of
the ves*sel I have not been informed, but-will request the
collector of the port to communicate with you on the subject.
[142]
Very respectfully, &c.,
JOHN K. VALENTINE,
Assistant
United States Attorney.
Hon. W. A. Field, Acting Attorney-General.
[Inclosure No. 2.]
Mr. Gregory,
marshal, to Mr Smith,
district attorney.
United States Marshal’s
Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
,
August 17, 1869.
Sir: In compliance with your request I
herewith submit a report of the inspection of the steamer
Hornet, detained by me for suspected violation of the neutrality
laws of the United States. In order that the inspection might be
a thorough one, I called to my assistance John H. Young, esq., a
gentleman of much experience in such matters; and his report,
herewith submitted, I accept as my own, and fully indorse.
I am, very respectfully, &c.,
E. M. GREGORY,
United States
Marshal.
Hon. Aubrey H. Smith,
United States District Attorney.
[143]
*[Inclosure No. 3.]
Mr. Young to Marshal Gregory.
Philadelphia
,
August 16,
1869.
Sir: As requested by you, the
undersigned visited the steamer Hornet, now in your custody, to
examine said vessel with a view to the ascertainment of anything
illegal in her outfit and lading as connected with her supposed
destination, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Queenstown, Ireland. In
conformity with the above request, I have thoroughly examined
the above-mentioned vessel in every department, and respectfully
submit: First, an examination of the papers showed that her
destination was Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Queenstown, Ireland;
the shipping articles had the names of thirty-five officers,
seamen, firemen, and coal-passers, all in the regular form; the
names of the chief engineer and his two assistants, however,
were not on the articles; with this addition, the crew all told
are thirty-eight men.
[Page 832]
[144] The Hornet is about nine hundred
tons burden, built of iron, side-wheels, and evidently built
with a view to great speed, and is in every respect well suited
for any trade where dispatch and short distance are the
requisites. She is pierced for *four guns, but the fittings are
of original construction, and would involve considerable expense
to take them away.
She has on board two hundred and fourteen tons of coal, (receipts
produced,) all in the bunkers, except about fifteen tons in bags
on deck for immediate use. The engineer states her consumption
at about thirty-five tons a day, and from the appearance of the
fire-surface, and size of the boilers, this is in conformity
with my own judgment. On this basis it would give her coal
capacity for about six days’ steaming. In addition to the coal
there are about four cords of oak wood. The cabin, wardroom,
steerage, and forecastle are fitted up in the usual manner for
the accommodation of the officers and crew.
The stores are ample, but not excessive, (except in the articles
of beans, of which there are twelve barrels; sugar seven
barrels, and whisky twelve half-barrels) for a voyage to Halifax
and Queenstown.
There are four bales of mattresses, (about forty-eight;) as the
berths are fitted with those articles, the extra mattresses
would seem to be superfluous.
[145] There are four good boats, all
fitted with spars, (for sails,) with boat compasses, &c.
Intimation having been given that the magazine contained arms
and other articles of an illegal character, an examination
*showed that no truth existed for such report, as they were
found empty. All the store-rooms and lockers were strictly
examined; the contents (stores) were such as are usually placed
in those compartments.
It was further stated that the coal-bunkers contained guns and
other munitions of war, but this I submit can be clearly
disproved, for the reason that the bunkers are constructed with
permanent iron bulkheads at each end, while the only openings
are a small slide-door for the admission of coal into the
fire-room, and the man-hole to each bunker on deck for putting
the coal in; these openings being of small diameter, will not
admit any guns but those of a small caliber. In conclusion, the
examination induces me to say that, except her ability to carry
coal sufficient for a voyage to Queenstown, there is no
appearance of anything illegal on board the said steamship
Hornet.
Respectfully submitted.
E. M. Gregory, Esq.,
United States Marshal.