[96] *Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General, to Mr. Barlow, United States marshal
Sir: Your two letters on the 9th instant were received on the 10th. In respect to the persons said to be assembled at Gardner’s Island, if you have reason to believe that they are a hostile expedition organized for military service in Cuba, awaiting means of transportation to that island, the President desires that you will take efficient means to break up the expedition. If Colonel Ryan, who is said to be their commander, is indicted or complained of for resistance to United States officers in discharge of their duty, or for assaults upon them, and you have a warrant for his arrest, you will use every means to arrest and secure him, and to arrest every person against whom you have warrants for similar acts of violence. Perhaps a revenue-cutter should be sent to Gardner’s Island for the purpose of service of warrants. Its presence might be sufficient, with the presence of the United States officers, to break up the expedition without the necessity of seizing the persons belonging to it.
There would not seem to me to be any reason for the arrest of such persons, if their hostile purposes were found to be defeated and they were willing or desirous to escape or disperse.
[97] I have conferred with the Secretary of the Treasury in regard to the employment of the revenue-cutters and the steam-tugs in the Government service at New York, and whenever it shall be necessary for the discharge of your duties to put any of them at your disposal, he assures me that on application *by letter or telegram to that effect, the necessary order will be issued. I trust that no further illegal expedition will require your intervention, which has heretofore been so faithful and efficient.
Very respectfully, &c.,
Attorney-General.
Francis C. Barlow, Esq.,
New York City.