D.c Buell to Judge GORDON N. Mort, June 7, 1861

Judge GORDON N. Mort, Associate Justice of the Territory of Nevada, Marysville, Cal. : SIR: The general commanding the department has received information which leaves no doubt in his mind of the organization of an armed body of men in Carson Valley, haviug for their object to involve the people of that Territory in the cause of secession and opposition to the authority of the General Government. This information he deems sufficient to justify proceedings for treason against certain leaders en gaged in the movement. As yet the government recently provided by act of Congress for the Territory of Nevada has not been organized, and there is no authority at hand for the issuance of a writ for the arrest of the offenders. It has occurred to the general that having the appointment of the President as one of the justices of the Territory, you may under the circumstances feel yourself authorized to issue the writ. The general would desire, if practicable, that the arrest of these treasonable acts shall be effected through regular judicial proceedings, and if such means do not exist, then others must be resorted to. He has directed me, thereforé, to bring the subject to your attention along with some of the information on which the proceedings against the leading disturbers of the peace would be based, and he requests that you will give him at the earliest possible moment your views in regard to your duty in the matter, and information as to the steps you may decide upon, so that he may be prepared to second you, or else take, himself, such steps as may seem necessary. The general directs me to suggest to you, with deference whether in case you should consider your authority adequate to such a step, and in view of the absence of all the civil functionaries of the new Territorial government, it would not be well for you to repair to the scene of threatened disturbance, where, under the protection and support of the military commander, you may be able to act more advisedly and efficiently.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,