Strict diligence, attention, and confidence is desired in the execution of this order, and you are requested to give it your personal attention and employ your best officers.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

(Similar orders to General Cadwalader, Philadelphia; Colonel Bomford, Harrisburg, and Captain Foster, Pittsburg.)

NEW YORK, May 18, 1864

(Received 4.35 p.m.)

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

I am investigating the gross fraud of this morning. The paper purporting to be a proclamation of the President was handed into the offices of the city newspapers at 4 o"clock, written on thin manifold paper of foolscap size, like the dispatches of the Associated Press. In handwriting and every other respect it was admirably calculated to deceive. It was published in the World and Journal of Commerce. None of the responsible editors of either of the papers was present. As soon as the editors of the World discovered the fraud they announced it on their bulletin, and they have offered a reward of $500 for the detection of the author. It was printed by the Herald, but none of the copies were issued, the fraud having been discovered before they left the office. I have sent to all the newspapers for their manuscripts and have received three. They are alike in respect to paper and handwriting. I think that I need not add that I shall in that case arrest and imprison them for trifling in so infamous a manner with the authority of the Government and the feelings of the community at this important juncture in our public affairs. Since writing the above the President's order for the arrest of the editors, proprietors, and publishers of the World and Journal of Commerce has come to hand. I shall execute it unless the foregoing information shall be deemed sufficient by the President to suspend it until my investigation is concluded.

JOHN A. DIX,

Major-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, May 18, 1864.

Major-General DIX,

New York:

The President's telegram was an order to you which I think it was your duty to execute immediately upon its receipt. I have no further orders to give you.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

NEW YORK, May 18, 1864

(Received 5.40 p.m.)

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

There will be no delay in the execution of either order. The telegraph offices will be seized immediately, and the newspapers, editors, &c., unless I hear from you before the guards are ready.

JOHN A. DIX.

Major-General.