DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 16, 1861.

JOHN A. KENNEDY, Esq.,

Superintendent of Police, New York:

Your telegram received. If any of the passengers may reasonably by suspected of any intention to impart information adverse to this Government or to commit hostilities against the United States they may be arrested and sent to Fort Lafayette, and their names furnished to this Department. Sufficient time has not yet elapsed for the regulation in regard to passports to be rigidly enforced.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

FORT HAMILTON, New York Harbor, September 16, 1861.

Colonel E. D. TOWNSEND,

Asst. Adjt. General, Headquarters Army, Washington City.

SIR: I have felt it my duty to forward the inclosed letter written by Robert Mure, prisoner, to the headquarters of the Army before sending it as addressed.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

MARTIN BURKE,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

[Inclosure.]