Saturday, October 28, 2017

Benjamin H. Brewster to William H. Seward, April 16, 1862

706 Walnut Street,
PHILADELPHIA, April 16, 1862.
Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

SIR: By the directions of General Simon Cameron I send you a summons issued by the supreme court of this State at the suit of Pierce Butler v. Simon Cameron, July 1-November 17, 1861. The writ is returnable the first Monday of May, 1862, and is for trespass, vi et armis, assault and battery and false imprisonment. The cause of action is no doubt founded upon the supposed misconduct of General Cameron in causing the arrest of the plaintiff, Mr. Pierce Butler, and placing him in Fort Warren or some other public fortification without authority of law while he, General Cameron, was Secretary of War. As I am instructed the act was not the act of General Cameron, and was done by those who commanded it be done for just reasons and for the public good.

You will please communicate the fact of this suit to the President and such other official persons as should properly be advised of it and have such action taken as shall relieve the defendant Simon Cameron from the burden, cost and responsibility of defending this suit.

By the directions of General Cameron I have as his private counsel ordered my appearance for him, while I also invite and request the intervention of the proper authorities in his behalf and for his protection.

I am, sir, truly, &c.,
BENJAMIN H. BREWSTER.

SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series II, Volume 2 (Serial No. 115), p. 507; Congressional Series of United States Public Documents: 37th Congress, 2nd Session, Ex. Doc. No. 43

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