using his influence to have Lieutenant Wood removed from the command of that post. The high esteem in which I hold Lieutenant Wood as an officer is well known at the Department as well of War as of State and Navy, but at the same time I as a servant of the Government shall obey and respect any and every order emanating from my superiors. If Lieutenant Wood should be removed, the responsibility of the change will of course rest with the Department not upon me.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

MARTIN BURKE,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 30, 1861.

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

SIR: Let the seamen confined in Fort Lafayette (not privateers) be released on taking the oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States and enlisting in its service. Robert Murray, esq., the U. S. marshal, has been instructed to take charge of them and see that they report for duty at the navy-yard in Brooklyn. You will please deliver into the custody of the U. S. marshal the privateers in Fort Lafayette, to be transferred by him to the city prison for confinement, and report to this Department.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 30, 1861.

E. L. O. ADAMS, Portland, Me.:

Look out for John E. Ward, late U. S. minister to China, who is proceeding by way of Quebec and Portland to England as agent for the disunionists. Arrest and send him to Fort Lafayette.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

(Same to Jonathan Amory, U. s. dispatch agent, Boston, Mass. ; Hiram Dunn, Rouse's Point, N. Y. ; Hollis White, Niagara Falls, N. Y. ; W. H. Barse, Detroit, Mich. ; John C. Miller, Chicago, Ill., and Joshua R. Giddings, Monteal, Canada.)

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 30, 1861.

ALBERT G. DAVIS, Esq., Washington City.

SIR: This Department having occasion for the services of a discreet and active man on the Northern frontiers to detect and arrest disloyal persons, especially those who may be the agents of the insurrectionary States, you are hereby appointed for that purpose at a compensation of $100 a month for next two months, of which you will receive here an advance of $100. You will be particularty on the watch for such persons who may pass into of from Canada on their way to or from Europe. In case any well-founded suspicion shall be entertained against any such person you will arrest him, secure his papers and give immediate notice by telegraph to this Department.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.