BOUTWELL, Secertay of the Treasury to F. R. Hoar , Attorney-General, United States, June 30, 1869

Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury, to Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of telegrams sent by this Department on the 29th, and this date, to the following-named officers regarding the enforcement of the neutrality laws:

On the 29th, the collector of customs, at New London;. United States marshal, New York City; and this date to collector of customs, New Bedford, Massachusetts; collector of customs, Newport, Rhode Island, collector of customs, Philadelphia, collector of customs, New York; collector of customs, Wilmington, Delaware; collector of customs, Baltimore.

[78] Since the receipt of your letter of this date *transmitting copy of telegram from United States marshal at New York, announcing the capture of three of the expedition’s tugs, and the breaking up of the expedition, dispatches have been sent revoking previous telegrams with the exception of those to the collector of customs at New London, Newport, and New Bedford.

I am, very respectfully,

Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury, to Mr. Thomas, collector.

John L. Thomas, Jr., Collector of Customs, Baltimore:

Department informed that expedition in violation of neutrality-laws is expected to embark from the capes of Virginia; send Northerner down to cruise in that vicinity, watching and detaining suspicious vessels. Expedition consists of three tugs, one named H. McCool, two schooners, and one sloop.