February 8, 1861; The New York Herald
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 1861.
The following statement in relation to the surrender of the revenue cutter Robert McClelland is derived from an official source:
The cutter is one of the largest and best in the revenue service, just rebuilt and refitted. Her commander was Capt. Breshwood, of Virginia. On the 19th of January, four days after Secretary Dix took charge of the Treasury Department, he sent Mr. Wm. Hemphill Jones, chief clerk in the First comptroller’s office, to New Orleans and Mobile, to save, if possible the two cutters on service there. Capt. Morrison, a Georgian, commanding the Lewis Cass, at Mobile, must have surrendered here before Mr. Jones arrived. On the 29th of January the Secretary received the following telegraphic despatch from Mr. Jones: –
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 29, 1861.
HON. J. A. DIX Secretary of the Treasury: –
Capt. Breshwood has refused positively in writing to obey any instructions of the department. In this I am sure he sustained by the Collector and, I believe, acts by his advice. What must I do?
W. H. JONES, Special Agent.
To the despatch Secretary Dix immediately returned the following answer:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 1861.
W. HEMPHILL JONES, New Orleans: –
Tell Lieutenant Caldwell to arrest Captain Breshwood, assume command of the cutter and obey the order through you. If Captain Breshwood, after arrest, undertakes to interfere with the command of the cutter, tell Lieutenant Caldwell to consider him as mutineer, and treat him accordingly. If any one attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot.
JOHN A. DIX, Secretary of the Treasury.
This despatch, it is said must have been intercepted, both at Montgomery and New Orleans, and withheld from Mr. Jones, and that the conduct of Captain Breshwood was consummated by means of a complicity on the part of the telegraph line with the States of Alabama and Louisiana.
Warlike preparations still continue. A stand of arms has been supplied to the watchmen in the Capitol, and all employees faithful to the government are to be supplied with Colt revolvers.
The artillery company lately at Augusta arrived here this morning. They are quartered in the south wing of the Treasury building, owing to the difficulty of procuring accommodations elsewhere.
The resignation of Captain Ingraham has been accepted. Captain Shrubrick is not now likely, as heretofore, designed to pursue a similar course.