our harbor until the city can devise other means of securing its safety from a naval attack which its importance to the nation imperiously demands. Please so instruct Admiral [Hiram] Paulding.

GEORGE OPDYKE,

Mayor.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, June 27, 1863-10. 20 a. m.

Actg. Rear-Admiral S. P. LEE,

U. S. Navy, Old Point Comfort, Va.:

The senior British naval officer can send any of H. B. M. 's vessels to Washington.

GIDEON WELLES,

Secretary of the Navy.

Headquarters, Fort Preble, Portland, June 27, 1863.

(Received 3. 30 p. m.)

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

I have in confinement 2 officers and 23 men, being the party who captured the revenue cutter Caleb Cushing last night. My force is too small to guard them. I await instructions.

GEO. L. ANDREWS,

Major Seventeenth Infantry, Commanding Post.

WAR DEPARTMENT, June 27, 1863-6. 20 p. m.

Major GEORGE L. ANDREWS,

Fort Preble, Portland, Me.:

Call upon the city authorities to raise a volunteer guard for the immediate exigency. If the Governor of Maine is at Portland, apply to him to raise a sufficient force for temporary guard [duty], until arrangements can be made to transfer them to Fort Warren. In the meantime, place them in irons, and at every hazard prevent their escape. Send me the Governor's address.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT, June 27, 1863-10. 15 p. m.

Governor COBURN, Augusta, Me.:

It is reported to this Department by Colonel George L. Andrews, commandant of Fort Preble, that his force is not sufficient to guard the rebel pirates that cut out the Caleb Cushing. You will please organize a company of volunteers for temporary guard duty until the pirates can be taken to Fort Warren, or otherwise disposed of, unless it is already done by the authorities of Portland, upon whom Colonel Andrews was, in your absence, directed to call.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.