Mr. Carron, United States marshal, to Mr. Hour, Attorney-Genial.
Sir: Your telegram dated October 18 ultimo, requesting my personal attention in the case of the Cuban man-of-war at this city, was received [Page 852] by me while I was in attendance upon the United States district court then in session at Edenton, North Carolina. The telegram was forwarded to me by mail from New Berne, North Carolina, October 21. I went immediately to Wilmington, traveling more than one hundred miles before I could reach the railroad. Passing Goldsborough on the 22d, I replied to yours of the 18th, and on reaching Wilmington called on Mr. B. K. Phelps for instructions, as you directed. Upon my arrival I found the steamer lying near the wharf and in charge of my deputy, Joseph H. Neff, who had dismantled her, and rendered*her unable to go to sea. I proceeded to discharge the vessel, and took from her a considerable quantity of material, and on arriving with them, I expected to meet Collector Rumley or his deputy to *take charge of them in the custom-house warehouse, but to my astonishment I found neither. I deposited, however, this cargo in the warehouse without being able to get any receipt for them. I then declined to discharge any more goods from the vessel, as I considered them safe where they were with ship-keepers on board. Mr. Phelps also thought this the best course. [185]
The collector, Rumley, complained that the men Deputy Neff had on board were not trustworthy. I asked him then to put an honest man oil board as watchman of the vessel. He did so, and a few nights thereafter this same man was detected in abstracting the stores to the amount of several hundred dollars’ worth, which were all captured by Deputy Neff’s detectives and are in safe keeping.
From a full investigation of the whole matter it is my opinion that, / with the exception of the theft mentioned, the complaints in regard to the management of the case are without just foundation.
So far as my action or that of my subordinates is concerned, we shun not the strictest scrutiny.
[186] To conclude, if I may be allowed to express the opinion, would state that the seizure of the vessel and trial of the officers have been conducted as well as could be under the circumstances, little petty mis*representations to the contrary notwithstanding.
Instructions-from your office to me shall always receive prompt attention, and it will afford me pleasure to hear from you at any time.
I remain yours, &c., &c.,
United States Marshal.
Hon. E. R. Hoar,
United States Attorney-General.