Gideon Welles to E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War, February 6, 1863
Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:
SIR: Complaint has been made by William James, who was a passenger on board the captured steamer Vixen, of his detention at Point Lookout, Md. He represents that he is a British subject. The Vixen, although sailing under the British flag, was without papers of any description, and the practice in such cases is to detain the officers and crew until the neutral character of the vessel be established. Those who are passengers only and are bona fide foreign subjects, having no connection with the insurgent Government, are usually released. This course is advisable in the case of James and any others in the same category who were captured in the Vixen and may be detained at Point Lookout.
Very respectfully, &c.,
Secretary of the Navy.
[Indorsement.]
FEBRUARY 9, 1865.
naval captures) as full authority for a discharge, and he accordingly
recommends the discharge of William James, and he further recommends that the Commissary-General of Prisoners procure a report of
"other cases in the same category," if any, and submit them for the