Edwin V. Sumner to William H. Gardner, August 28, 1861

Capt. WILLIAM H. GARDNER, Commanding Navy-Yard, Mare Island, Cal. :

CAPTAIN: I have received your letter of yesterday.* You are altogether mistaken in supposing that I wish to dictate to you in anything. I have an impression that you asked me in one of your letters some time since to give you any information I might receive that would be interesting to you. I did receive information, and from what I considered a reliable source, that there were several secessionists in Government employ at the navy-yard, and I certainly thought it was very

important that you should know of this report; for if it was true, I did not believe you would keep such people for an hour. You misunderstand me entirely. I have not the slightest apprehension that the Government will sustain any loss of property in California.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,