DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 25, 1861.

Colonel MARTIN BURKE, Fort Lafayette, N. Y.

SIR: Let Mr. G. L. Bowne, a prisoner now confined in Fort Lafayette, be discharged on taking the oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States and engaging no to enter any of the unsurrectionary States during the war without the consent of the Secrtary of State.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

NEW YORK, September 28,1 861.

Honorable WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington.

SIR: Will you have the private papers of George L. Bowne taken from him on his arrest returned to us at this city or direct the marshal to return them to Mr. Bowne at Cooperstown?

Yours, respectfully,

CUMMINS, ALEXANDER & GREEN.

FORT HAMILTON, New York Harbor, September 28,1 861.

Honorable W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 25th instant in reference to the discharge of George L. Bowne, and beg to call your attention to the discrepancy in the instructions conveyed in that and in the communication dated September 20. Mr. G. L. Bowne was discharged on the 24th instant under instructions dated the 20th and the papers in his case were yesterday forwarded you by mail. If desired I will forward copies of both your communications.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

MARTIN BURKE,

Lieutenant-Colonel, U. S. Army, Commanding.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 30, 1861.

Messrs. CUMMINS, ALEXANDER & GREEN, New York.

GENTLEMEN: Your letter of the 28th instant has been received, and in compliance with your request the private papers taken from George L. Bowne at the time eof his arrest and forwarded to this Department have been to-day sent by mail to your address.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servnat,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 1, 1861.

Colonel MARTIN BURKE, Fort Lafayette, N. Y.

SIR: Your letter of the 28th ultimo informing this Department of the discharge of George L. Bowne in accordance with the instructions of the 20th ultimo and before the receipt of those of the 25th has been duly received. Your proceedings in the matter are entirely approved.

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

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.