[Inclosure.]

OFFICE U. S. DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK,

New York, May 20, 1861.

ROBERT MURRAY, Esq., U. S. Marshal.

SIR: In pursuance of instructions received from Washington you are directed on behalf of the United States Government to obtain possession of any telegraphic dispatches that may have been sent or received with purposes hostile to the Government or in relation to supplies of arms and provisions purchased or forwarded to the Southern rebels.

Upon obtaining possession of these dispatches should be record or file in which they are included also embrace other telegraphic dispatches having no connection with this subject you are authorized to assent to the packages which may be taken by you being sealed, to be opened and examined on the part of the United States Government upon notive to the telegraph agent from whom you receive them.

You will take this proceeding at 3 o'clock p. m. to-day, and do so simultaneously at all the officers in this city where such dispatches are to be found.

Your prompt and energetic action in the matter is requested and will be expected.

Very respectfully,

E. DELAFIELD SMITH,

U. S. District Attorney.

OFFICE U. S. DISTRICT ATTORNEY

FOR DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY,

Newark, May 20, 1861.

Honorable SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.

DEAR SIR: In pursuance of the directions of Colonel James Cameron given to me on your behalf I obtained at 3 p. m. to-day all the telegraphic dispatches sent and received within a year past at the offices in Trenton, Princeton, Elizabeth and Newark in this State. They are all now in my possession and I await further instructions as to the disposition of them.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. W. KEASBEY,

U. S. Attorney for New Jersey.

OFFICE U. S. ATTORNEY

EASTERN DISTRICT PENNSYLVANIA,

Philadelphia, May 21, 1861.

Honorable SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.

SIR: I have the honor to report that on yesterday at 3 o'clock p. m. Marshal William Millward by my directions took charge of all dispatches sent to the South from any source from this city since the 1st of January last. The gentlemen controlling the various telgraph lines being loyal rendered us every aid and assistance. We hold these papers subject to your order and shall meanwhile proceed to examine them.

Your obedient servant,

GEO. A. COFFEY,

U. S. Attorney.