WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, D. C., September 13, 1865-3.15 p. m.

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON, Newport, R. I.:

I have just received the following from the Department of State:

THOMAS T. ECKERT, Acting Assistant Secretary of War:

This Department having to-day received telegraphic information of the presence of Mr. J. C. Breckinridge in Canada, the subject was brought to the consideration of the President in Cabinet, where it was determined to be advisable to arrest that person if he should be found within the limits of the United States. Your attention is consequently invited to the matter.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Have you any instructions to give me on this subject?

THOS. T. ECKERT.

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, September 13, 1865.

Honorable JAMES SPEED, Attorney-General:

SIR; In compliance with instructions from the Secretary of War I have the honor to submit to you the inclosed letter from his wife to C. C. Clay, a prisoner at Fort Monroe.

With great respect, your obedient servant,

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

NEWPORT, R. I., September 14, 1865-1.30 p. m.

Honorable THOMAS T. ECKERT,

Acting Assistant Secretary of War:

Instruct, in my name, General Baker to arrest Breckinridge if he comes within the United States. Direct General Fry, also by my order, to issue confidential instructions to all his provost-marshals to the same effect. Write a note to the Secretary of State in acknowledgment of his letter and informing him what has been ordered.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, D. C., September 14, 1865.

Major General N. A. MILES, Commanding, Fort Monroe, Va.:

The following telegram has been submitted to this Department for approval:

AUGUST, GA., Septembe 13, 1865.

Major General N. A. MILES, Commanding, Fort Monroe, Va.:

Will you please inform me by telegraph how Mr. Davis is. Rumors of his indisposition have caused me great suffering. Is his indisposition serious?

VARINA DAVIS.

To which you are authorized to make the following reply, provided it represents the present condition of the prisoner:

FORT MONROE, VA., September 14, 1865.

Mrs. VARINA DAVIS, August, Ga.:

Mr. Davis suffered temporarily from a carbuncle on the leg and from erysipelas in the face; that is now over and he is well us usual.

N. A. MILES,

Major-General, Commanding.

THOS. T. ECKERT,

Acting Assistant Secretary of War.