Robert Murray to William H. Seward, May 19, 1864

Rec 20 May.

U. S. Marshall’s Office,                     

Southern District of New York,                    

New York May, 19th 1864

Hon. William Seward

            Secretary of State

                        Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir.

I arrived home this morning and find that the excitement in relation to the Extradition of José Augustín Arguelles, has materially subsided, since the publication of your note to A Oakey Hall I am however of the opinion, that the Grand Jury will find an indictment against me, and the Deputy Marshals engaged with me in putting the Spaniard on board of the Steamer.

I am sorry to inform you, that Surveyor Andrews¹ of the Custom House has rendered himself very obnoxious in this matter, & if I am indicted by the Grand Jury for executing the orders of the Govt — I shall be indebted to him, more than any other person in New York for the same I remain Very Respy

Yr Obt Servt.

Robt Murray              

U S Marshal

[Endorsed on Envelope by Lincoln:]

Robert Murray.

_______________

¹ Rufus Andrews.

SOURCE: Lincoln, Abraham. Abraham Lincoln papers: Series 1. General Correspondence. 1833 to 1916: Robert Murray to William H. Seward, Thursday,Case of Jose A. Arguelles. 1864. Manuscript/Mixed Material. https://www.loc.gov/item/mal3318000/

Diary of Gideon Welles: Monday, June 6, 1864

Am urged to go to Baltimore but do not deem it advisable. Some talk with Blair respecting Chase and Seward, who, though not assimilating and unlike in many respects, continue to get along. Each has a policy which seems to me unsound, and Blair coincides with me, but is so intent on other matters, personal to the Blairs and the vindictive war upon them, that he is compelled to defer the differences on grave questions to what so nearly concerns him.

I am uncomfortable about the extradition, or rather the abduction, of Arguellis, the Spaniard. The act shocks me, and the Administration will justly be held accountable. Some of us who know nothing on the subject will have to share the responsibility. I knew nothing of the subject, nor that there was such a man, until after the wrong had been committed and the man was on his way to Cuba. Marshal Murray then informed me, and said he was here to escape the grand jury. A few days after the subject was alluded to in the Cabinet. Seward introduced it incidentally, partly as a feeler and partly to affirm hereafter that the subject had been mentioned. A few words passed between him and the President. As no one said a word by way of comment, I inquired if there was not a law in New York against abduction? Seward claimed there was no law prohibiting the extradition, — that we might do it or not. It was an act of comity merely; Spain could not demand it, etc., etc. It was in answer to these remarks that I put the inquiry. I saw it grated, and when I further remarked if there was no treaty or law for it, I should doubt the propriety of acting, I saw I was making discord, and the subject dropped. The arrest is an arbitrary and unauthorized exercise of power by the Secretary of State.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 45-6