have been engaged in receiving and forwarding correspondence between parties in the parties in the insurrectionary States and their sympathizers in europe as well as in the loyal States: John Monroe & Co., Charles Le Cesne, C. S. Robert, Maury Brothers, Mr. Converse. Will you please cause a quiet but through watch to be kept over the movements of these parties, and after the arrival of the next foreign mail place them under surveillance and seize all correspondence and other papers and send them with you report to this Department?

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

F. W. SEWARD,

Assistant Secretary.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 18, 1861.

JOHN A. KENNEDY, Esq.,

Superintendent of Police, New York.

SIR: Herewith I transmit and extract from an intercepted letter written by William L. Yancey,* an agent in England of the persons in surrection against the authority of the Government of the United States, addressed to his son who appears to be a captain in the forces of the insurgents at Mobile, Ala. From this extract you will learn the names of the parties in new York through whom the son is requested to send a reply. I deem it important that a watch should be kept over John Monroe & Co., and have the request that you will cause it to be done and report to me by telegraph whether in your judgment it is advisable to arrest them or any of them.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

F. W. SEWARD,

Assistant Secretary.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 18, 1861.

JOHN A. KENNEDY, Esq.,

Superintendent of Police, New York.

SIR: Herewith I inclose an abstract from an intercepted letter+ written by Charles Le Cesne, doing business at 24 William street, New York, and who appears to be engaged in affording aid and comfort to the insurgents by receiving and forwarding correspondence and by outfitting vessels and shipping merchandise to them. The Mr. Shafter referred to in this extract is probably James S., doing businen street. Will you please keep a quiet but close watch upon the movements of those persons, and at the proper time after the arrival of the next foreign mail arrest and convey them to Fort Lafayette, secure all letters and other papers found in their possession and send them to me, I have notified the Navy Department of the probable sailing of the vessel referred to, but you had better keep a lookout for her and inform this Department of her name and the date of her departure.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

F. W. SEWARD,

Assistant Secretary.

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* For the Yancey letter see p. 1279, case of James Brown.

+ Not found.

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