DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, January 17, 1862.

Major General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN,

Headquarters U. S. Army.

MY DEAR GENERAL: From representations which have at different times been made to me I am induced to inquire whether in your judgment Colonel Justin Dimick is entirely such an officer as ought to be the keeper of state prisoners and the commandant of so important a post as that of Fort Warren.

Very truly, yours,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, January 17, 1862.

JOHN A. KENNEDY, Esq.,

Superintendent of Police, New York.

SIR: This Department has received information to the effect that the house of Trenholm Bros. & Co., No. 42 Pine street, New York, is a branch of the house of Fraser Trenholm & Co., of Liverpool, an John Fraser & Co., of Charleston, S. C. It is important and desirable to ascertain the truth of these statement because the two last-named houses have from the commencement of the insurrection been engaged in attempts to run the blockade, and some of the vessels owned by them have succeeded in that attempt. I will consequently thank you to inquire, first, if the Messrs. Trenholm in New York are British subject, and secondly, if their house is a branch of the others referred to. It is not deemed advisable to take any other steps until Department shall have received information on these points.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, January 17, 1862.

Brigadier General ANDREW PORTER,

Provost-Marshal, Washington.

GENERAL: You will please send Miss Ellie M. Poole, a prisoner in your custody in this city, under the protection and custody of a proper guard by way of Baltimore to Fortress Monroe and thence under flag of truce beyond the lines of the U. S. forces, there to be discharged.

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

F. W. SEWARD,

Assistant Secretary.

POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT, January 17, 1862.

SECRETARY OF STATE.

SIR: In pursuance of your suggestion of the 19th ultimo the post-masters of New York, Boston and Portland have bene instructed to withhold from the outgoing mails and to forward to your Department all letters posted or otherwise received at their office addressed to "Arthur Dare, 15 Half Moon street London. "

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

THOS. P. TROTT,

Chief Clerk.