[Inclosure Numbers 1.]

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, August 2, 1861.

Lieutenant Colonel MARTIN BURKE, U. S. Army,

Commanding, &c., Numbers 6 State Street, New York City:

Should the writ of habeas corpus come for the production in court of any of your political prisoners you will respond thereto that you deeply regret that pending existing political troubles you cannot comply with the requisition of the honorable judge.

WINFIELD SCOTT.

[Inclosure Numbers 2.]

HEADQUARTERS,
August 12, 1861--10. 15 p. m.

Lieutenant Colonel MARTIN BURKE, Fort Hamilton, N. Y.

Your telegram is received. You will resist any attempt to take your State prisoners. You will resist any attempt to take your person on a writ of attachment.

WINFIELD SCOTT.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, August 13, 1861.

Colonel HENRY L. SCOTT,

Inspector-General, Commanding, &c., New York:

Fort Lafayette is threatened with an attack by the sheriff and his posse to seize Colonel Burke. Send him a re-enforcement of some companies of volunteers which have been mustered into service without delay.

WINFIELD SCOTT.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, August 16, 1861.

Lieutenant General WINFIELD SCOTT.

GENERAL: In returning herewith the letters addressed to yourself and the Secretary of War by Mr. Howard* I have the honor to state that I do not perceive any objection to the political prisoners at Fort Lafayette being allowed to receive and dispatch unsealed communications nor to their being permitted to purchase at their own expense such newspapers as may be for sale in New York.

I am, general, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

FORT LAFAYETTE, NEW YORK HARBOR,

August 19, 1861.

Honorable WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

SIR: My family were informed by Lieutenant-General Scott under date of the 3rd instant that an order had been given "by the Department

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*Howard to Scott, p. 638; Howard to Cameron, p. 639.

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41 R R--SER II, VOL I