The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-27
MORE STATE PRISONERS.
HIGHLY IMPORTANT ARRESTS IN PHILA.
DELPHIA.

PHILADELPHIA, August 20, 1851
Nphew Of General Johnston's and Vnginia Armorer
Deected-Ingenious Conference.-The Mysterious 7ele
graph Cable Elplaned-Frmidable Munitions Of War
About Being Put TO Use Upon the Blockading Squadron
Further Hearing Of Samuel Eakcn, de-
The OF Samuel Eaken, of whom partial account
has been given in your columns up today before
the United States Commissioner. great number of wit.
nesses chiefly mechanics and inventors, sworn and
their testimonies agree stating that Eakcn most
dangerous person. of great ingenuity, experience and
travel whose abilities might became very detrimental to
the Of the Union if they have not already proved
themselves Marshal Mlward started for Fort Lafayette
with this man on Saturday night, but and important
evidence being at that time adduced no was held
over for further hearing to-day. In the mean.
time his dwelling, in Palmer street, Kensngton, was
searched, and some curious beigerant contrivances
brought to light among them about 5000 feet Of
tremey minute insulated telegraph wre of the thickness
of thread, wrapped in silk and adapted to forming
necton with any ordinary WIRE The color OF the thread
green and in respects, IL was similar the
fragments OF cable picked up Fortress Monroe. AT
distance of ten yards this wire invisible and could
DO tracd through grass and herbage extent of
country without detection The object of this wire was,
doubtless to lead OF messages from the government lines
and put the rebels possession of every important
movement Eaen insisted that it was an improve cd wire
for insulating magnets; but we'll informed witnesses
disagreed with him. percussion cap was likewise dis
through the thick metallic coverings, and thus
avoid the necessity for tearing of the envelope.
The model OF cannon likewise, came to light,
that the inventor supposes capable Of splitting
sevonyfour frigate in half at distance of three miles
miniature torpedo for submarine purposes, consisting
essentially of gutta pecha bag and tube discovered
and this, from the prisoners admission, to be
emp dyed in blowing up war vessels. Among the pri-
soners private papers may enumeratc railroad pass,
directing the various Southern railways to pass the
bearer to any point in the conedcracy and charge his
expenses to the Davis government; letter from the
ora
matters not yet made public and from George b.
Soat the precise nature Of which is not yet explained
which the prisoner detected chewing to pieces He
succeeded in swallowing half the missive. More than
81 900 in gold was likewise taken from his effects.
The hearing to-day disclosed strange and smart his
tory, which made much sympathy for Eakcn in spite Of
the formidable accusations against him.
He is native of Massachusetts,, and was educated in
Philadelphia manilestng from lh beginning wonderful
aptitude for mechanics Among his early applications
was that of sewing machine, and Soa Co. employed
him to improve sewing machine needles for which they
received the patent and emoluments Hc afterwards
went to the Crmea in the employ Of the Russian govern
ment, and managed for time the application Of in
lernal machines of his own contrivancc very nearly
blowing up number of war vessels, and afterwards
assisting to raise the submerged ships from the
docks at Sebastopol' Thence he led a vagabond
life, endeavoring without success to press his
inventions upon most of the European govern
ments, and, returning home, engaged in the business
of electrotypng for Bailey Kitchen jewellers. When
the great tunnels on the Reading Railroad were about
being extended Eaken applied gavanism to blasting the
solid rock, and thus completed the work in urexamplcd
time by one hundred and fifty discharges and upwards
per minnie He made improved and shell after
ward, impoverishing himself in framing models, and
deavoring without success TO make them available for
government. When the war broke out he applied for
mechanical position to the Secretary Of War; but the
Cabinet had not the time to heaken to his suggestions
and, having received tempting offers from the
South, he compelled, for bread aud dwell
ing to renquish ngratitude at home and the
mics of his country at Richmond. The funds in his pos
session attest how well he was rewarded He remained
in Richmond three weeks sysematized the business of
the Armory at that place "a time table OF which was
found in his trunk) and returned to Philadelphia few
weeks to buy material and get force Of mechanics
His behavior in town-consdering the circumstance
chke for he made of his Intentions and
seemed indifferent to the aims and ends OF the beli-
gorents so his own mechanism was put to use and re-
warded. Marshal John W. Sharkcy heard Of him in this
manner and entrappcd him by dec letter. At tho
hearing most of the inventors in the city attended, and
they bore unanimous testimony TO his fertility and skill
In appearance + ken is very remarkable individual,
having most capac!ous head with great forehead full
of black hair little gray and strongly marked features,
half envelopcd in beard o has the kccncst Of medta
tive eyes that look thorugh spcctacles and his manners
are those of gentleman apparently unconscious OF bav
ing committed fault. He was taken to Fort Lafayette at
| two o'clock, in company with German named David
Ryno who North to purchase iron for bridge build
ing in North Carolina Eakon will be released and
put into government service A more important pri
| soncr the "bastie' will not hold during the war.
GENERAL JOfNsToNs NEPHEW.
William l.. Johnston nephew of the rebel Major Gene
raj arrested Mt the Ptsburg depot in Philadelphia,
on Sunday night by two detective officers He was at
the battle of Manassas under General Bcauregard who
declined to release him at the ntercesson Of his grand
mother Mrs Henry d. Gpin, but he was afterwards re-
nans commission in the Confederate service, and his
anxiety to his Southern friends seems to have
oqualcd his affection for his own relations Flo deter
mined to go back to the army, and took away trunk
weighing two hundred and fifty pounds containing maps
of forts and OF the seat Of war letters not yet
directed but full of reasonable correspondence and sui
Gent other matter to place him for term Of service in
Fort lafayette. He is favorite and probable heir of Mrs
Gipn, the widow Of former lawyer Of Philadelphia.
Young Johnston is now in Moyamensing jail.
BIOGRAPHY OF AN ALLEGED TRAITOR.
Captain Robert Tansl who resigned his commission as
Captain of Marines when the frgate Congress reached
Boston Saturday, was farm boy, and born in Prince
William County, Va, Manassas, and almost in sight
the age OF seventeen and enlisted for five years in the
marine vice. His bravery and attention to duty Gle
waited him sergeantcy the highest non commissioned
rank. He made aly enemies among the commissioned
officers from the beginning, and was once ordered
| to be tied up and logged, but seizng musket he
| swore TO shoot down any man who laid hands upon
! him. This gallant conduct saved him for the time
| When the five years had expired Commander Ballard
persuaded him TO reenlist under promise of a
sion. He accordingly received a second lieutcnantcy
about 1896, when the ship North Carolina off Hampton
Roads, at which the Indignation of the other commits
stoned officers great He fought his way through all
obstacles, however, and acted Commander Of Marines
in the Mosquito squadron under Lieutenant Mclaughlin
during the Seminole Mclaughlin took occasion to fog
Of Tansls marines death day and the latter
exposed him in the st. Augustine GFla), We,us
| for which he was court martialed, and found
guilty Of "prevarcaton' in denying his signature.
For this he suspended for three years half pay
during which time he taught naval school Wash
ngton and married Miss weems the da ghter Of Metho
mnstration and made first lieutenant. In the Mexican
war he brcveted captain for gallant defence Of
Guaymas, on the Pacific coast Ho went to Paraguay
commander Of marines amid much opposition, but al.
ways behaved with marked courage and foresght-owng
everything to the government that raised him from
common SOLDIER to desert it when mperlled and me.
naced. He is in the neighborhood Of fifty years of
age having been the recipient OF federal bounty for about
thirty years. His friends had every confidence in his
loyalty but his resignation that matter forever at
rest and he has gone to Fort Hamilton where he will
least be unable to succ0r the rebellion
REMOVED TO FORT LAFAYETTE.
Daniel G. Lowber Of New Orleans who stands charged
with being bearer of dispatches from England JEFF
Davis, removed yesterday from the Detectives Of.