Henry D. Barrows to James H. Carleton, April 9, 1862

Col. J. H. CARLETON, or MILITARY COMMANDER OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF California:

SIR: I hereby request that you will detail a sufficient military force from your command to this city without delay to assist me in arresting and detaining the person of A.J. King, the present under sheriff of this county, and a notorious secessionist, who yesterday broughv into this city and .ostentatiously displayed before a large crowd of citizens an elegantly engraved and framed lithographic portrait, life size, of the rebel General Beauregard, thereby seeking to give éclat in a disaffected community to the rebel cause, and who in my presence has disavowed all allegiance to our National Government, at the same time proclaiming that of Jeff. Davis the only constitutional government that we had. As the said King is a desperate man, and as there is a possibility that a rescue might be attempted (as a majority of this community sympathizes with the rebellion), 1 would suggest that celerity and secrecy be observed, and that a force sufficient for contingencies be detailed. I would add that should the colonel commanding this district think 16 preferable to make this arrest directly, without the interference of the marshal, as a military arrest, I should perfectly concur with him in the wisdom of such a course, in which case the foregoing requisition to stand void and of no effect. Under all circumstances I should desire to act in entire unison with the military authorities of this department in this matter, but particularly so, as the Federal civil authority is almost powerless in this section; and as all parties arrested by the marshal would have to be turned over to the military, owing to the fact

63 R R—VOL L, PT 1 that the local county jail is entirely in the hands of secession sympathizers. Please, sir, to early advise me of the receipt of this communication, and also to make any suggestions that may occur. I am, sir,

very respectfully and truly, your obedient servant,