[629] *Mr. Kennedy, United States marshal, to Mr. Black, Attorney General.
New Orleans, November 25, 1858.
Sir: Your letter of the 10th instant was not received by me until two or three days after it was due. Having seen the reply of the United States attorney for this district to one of a similar character from your Department, in which he put you in possession of all the circumstances connected with the subject of your inquiry up to the date thereof, I thought best to allow a few days to intervene between his said reply and mine, lest some new phase of the matter should arise worthy of being communicated to you.
I now have the honor to state that on the 19th day of this month two individuals, named McChesney and Dreaux, both connected with a body designated as the Southern Emigrant Society, were arrested and brought before the grand jury of this district, and examined touching the nature and objects of said society. Nothing having been elicited [Page 675] from them which would be construed into an intent to violate our neutrality laws, the witnesses were discharged and the matter dropped.
Since then nothing has transpired to alter the complexion of the subject. You may rest assured, sir, of my zealous co-operation with the Government in maintaining the inviolability of the neutrality laws of the United States.
Very respectfully, &c.,
United States Marshal, eastern district Louisiana.
Hon. J. S. Black,
Attorney-General of the United States.