Headquarters of the Army,
Washington, May 28, 1861.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. G. Cadwalader, U. S. Army,
Comdg. Department of Annapolis, Baltimore, Md.
General: Your letter of the 27th instant with inclosures reporting the arrest of John Merryman and the issue by Chief Justice Taney of a writ of habeas corpus in his case has been received.
The general-in-chief directs me to say under authority conferred upon him by the President of the United States and fully transferred to you that you will hold in secure confinement all persons implicated in treasonable practices unless you should become satisfied that the arrest in any particular case was made without sufficient evidence of guilt.
In returns to writs of habeas corpus by whomsoever issued you will most respectfully decline for the time to produce the prisoners but will say that when the present unhappy difficulties are at an end you will duly respond to the writs in question.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. D. TOWNSEND ,
Assistant Adjutant-General.