[115] *Mr. Barlow, United States marshal, to Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of yesterday, inquiring for information touching the Hornet.
I had already received a telegram from the Secretary of State asking for the same information, and had directed it to be telegraphed from New York, and, therefore, as I telegraphed you, I did not suppose you would require the information to be sent to you.
On Friday last, I telegraphed the Philadelphia marshal that the Hornet was suspected, leaving it of course to him to investigate and detain if he saw fit.
I still think that the vessel is bent upon mischief, though possibly there may not be sufficient evidence to warrant her condemnation.
However, all the facts we have are by this time before you for your decision. In regard to stopping vessels by the executive officers until the cases can be investigated by the law-officers, I have always acted on the principle that it was best to be on the safe side, and that it was better that a vessel here and there should be detained for a day or two, than that anything should escape.
Very respectfully,
United States Marshal.
Hon. E. R. Hoar,
Attorney-General.