Last Tuesday, when
on board the Pawnee with the President and Cabinet, Stanton took me aside and
desired to know if the Navy could not spare a gunboat to convey some prisoners
to Tortugas. I told him a vessel could be detailed for that purpose if
necessary, but I inquired why he did not send them by one of his own
transports. He then told me he wanted to send the persons connected with the
assassination of President Lincoln to Tortugas, instead of a Northern prison,
that he had mentioned the subject to the President, and it was best to get them
into a part of the country where old Nelson or any other judge would not try to
make difficulty by habeas corpus. Said he would make
further inquiries and see me, but wished strict secrecy. On Friday he said he
should want a boat and I told him we had none here, but the Florida might be
sent to Hampton Roads, and he could send his men and prisoners thither on one
of the army boats in the Potomac. I accordingly sent orders for the Florida.
Yesterday General Townsend called on me twice on the subject, and informed me
in the evening that General Hancock would leave in a boat at midnight to meet
the Florida. I suggested that General H. had better wait; we had no information
yet that the Florida had arrived, and she would be announced to us by telegraph
as soon as she did arrive. To-day I learn the prisoners and a guard went down
last night, and I accordingly sent orders by telegraph, by request of Secretary
of War, to receive and convey the guard and prisoners to Tortugas.
Seward sent to see
me. Had dispatches from the Spanish government that the Stonewall should be
given up. Is to send me copies, but the yellow fever is prevalent in Havana and
it would be well to leave the Stonewall there until fall.
