Mr. Preston to Mr. Bayard.
Steam-lighter Admiral, at pier 10, North River, New York, has on board armament of rebel steamer Madrid, consisting of several one-hundred-pounder Parrot cannons with ship carriages and several hundred projectiles, part received from William Reed & Son of Boston, and part from from Joseph Frazer, of New York. They are, we believe, intended to be shipped on the tender of the Madrid, the American steamer Carondelet, now at Erie Basin, or on another vessel, for a neutral port, but in fact for Cape Hayti. Collector Magone advised, asked to telegraph to you for immediate instructions to act.