DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June 27, 1861.

JOHN A. KENNEDY, Esq.,

Superintendent of Police, New York:

SIR: Your letter* of yesterday with the accompanying papers relative to Edward Seymour Ruggles has been received. Your course in the matter is approved and Ruggles will be detained for such further proceedings as upon consulation with Mr. E. Delafield Smith, the attorney of the United States for the southern district of New York, may be deemed advisable.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 3, 1861.

Honorable JAMES BOWEN, Commissioner of Police, New York.

SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter+ of yesterday with the accompanying copy of one from young Ruggles to William Preston Johnson, at Louisville, Ky. This may well considered as confirming the suspicion as to his loyalty. It is proper that you should be informed that Colonel Scott or the principal officer of the U. S. Army at New York has authority to suspend the writ of habeas corpus there should this be deemed necessary.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 3, 1861.

JOHN J. SPEED, Postmaster, Louisville, Ky.

SIR: A young man named Edward S. Ruggles, who was at the U. S. Naval Academy, but who for some cause left the service shortly before or after the 14th of March last, was recently at Panama and Aspinwall, at both of which places his conduct excited the suspicionsof our consuls. They were induceed to believe him to be an agent of the insurgents in this country sent thither to communicte with General Johnston, recently in command of U. S. forces on the Pacific coast. These suspicious having made been known to the police of New York Ruggles was arrestd there a few days since on his return from Aspinwall and is now held in custody. Inclosed is a copy of a leter+ of the 25th instant [ultimo?] addressed by Ruggles to William Preston Johnston, Louisville. I will thank you to inform me who Mr. Johnston is and of any particulars concerning him which would enable me to determine the nature of his connection with Ruggles.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 17, 1861.

Lieutenant General WINFIELD SCOTT, Washington.

GENERAL: Edward Seymour Ruggles has for some time past been in the custody of the superintendent of police at New York where he was arrested on his return from Aspinwall at the instance of the U. S. consul upon suspicion of having been employed for disloyal purposes.

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* Not found, but obviously reporting the arrest of Ruggles.

+ Not fond.

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