Mr. Davis, Acting Secretary of State, to Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury.
Washington, September 28, 1869.
[119] Sir: Confidential information has come to this Department that there is some reason to apprehend that the proprietors of the British brig Edith, now at New Orleans, are about to attempt a violation of *the neutrality laws of the United States, by engaging in an armed expedition against the Spanish authorities in Cuba. The informant does not desire to have his name disclosed, and the information he gives is vague and imperfect. Will you have the goodness to instruct the proper officials under your directions by telegraph to watch the vessel carefully, and to ascertain if there be anything suspicious in her preparations, and, if they have reason to believe that she is about to engage in an unlawful occupation, to take the necessary steps to prevent her from doing so.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
Acting Secretary.
Hon. Geo. S. Boutwell,
Secretary of the Treasury.