Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-10-17
Important Arrests in Philadelphia-A Prominent Virginian Among Them All Sent to Fort Lafayette.

A Philadelphia correspondent, of a northern paper, under date of September 23, writes:
 The most important arrests that have been made during the rebellion, came to light in this city to day. Most of those previously incarce- rated i'll Fort Lafayette had been devoting their influence to treason; but the parties here arres- ted were contributing arms and munitions of war daily, bribing officers of the United States army to further their designs and organized a system of treason so skillful and complete. that only after the utmost vigilance, and when the detectives had tested all means to entrap and decoy them, the full proof came to light.
 The names of these men are James M. Haig. F. Wyatt and William Gilchrist. Haig is a Baltimore ISraelite, whose business is the mtk ing of military trimmings, epaulettes, sword handles etc. He had obtained heavy con- tract from the United States government to more effectually conceal his plans. aud was armed with numerous letters from federal func tionaries that he intended to produce in emer geuces This man conducted contraband trade from Baltimore until Gen. Dix aad the provost marshal showed him up. He was first ob ,erved in this wise: package containing several thousand friction tubes aud cannon primers had been left at Adams express office in this city addressed to we'll known firm in Balti more. Being threatened with arrest, the latter firm confessed that they were the agents oi James M. Haig, and it was further deduced that the sam9 was shipped under fcticious name by William Gilchrist.
 Detective Ben iaim Franklin. sagacious and fertile Philadelphia officer, now determined to seduce Haig to this city; for which purpose he resorted to certain ingenious means not now ripe for publication. Convinced that heavy orders awaited him here, and Philadelphia was less under espionage than Baltimore. Haig came on A celebrated Lincoln detective now took part in the matter, and the mean bv which they lnveighed all the parties cousn'ltp he riches item in the history of criminal slrfej!lance- Tue Israelite so played upon that be IS not yet aware of the enemies who raired him, and when the matter was ripe the whole party were taken up, their goods and papers seized, and they are now in Fort Lafayette, having gone forward on Sunday night.
 Wi liam Gilchrist Is razor and cutlery i'm porter whose establishment is situated at Fifth and Commerce streets. H has never taken -he oath of allegiance, being an Eugshm sn His game was to pretend himself federal agent till the worst came, when he was to claim the privilege of British subject In his estab. lishment were found surgical instruments, caps pistols, bowie knives, etc., packed and directed ID go southward. The property amounted to SlO.O00 in value.
 F. Wyatt Is Frginian. formerly in partner ship with c. B. Campbell, 205 North Water st. He has always been a rabid traitor, and his wife has been six times to Richmond and back within as many weeks, taking each time as many trunks heavily filled with arms and goods contraband. She passed our lines by bribing an officer of the army. who obtained passes for the purpose. Said officer has been arrested, and will probably be shot. At Wyatt's house an extensive spondence with parties a. the South was found, and his cemplicity with the rebels was proved by his papers, even in the absence of any other evidence. Among other articles seiz-d there was pair of epaul- cites, marked with the name of Captain Rich ardson, an officer in the rebel army. There was also photographic group of wor;hies, of which Wyatt was the centre. A gentleman who is familiar with the likenesses. says that they represent Capt Richardson, Capt. Jno. Archer Cullen, Lieut.. c. D. Finley, of Macon, Ga., and Blodsett Mayor of Savannah all decided rebels.
 The hay contract in which Haig was engag- ed. was to have been worked to good advantage. Two vessels, one loaded with bales of hay, and the other with bales containing war munitions, were to have been despatched up the Potomac and. at Aquia Creek, at a given signal, the bo- gus bay would have been under the rebel batteries. All this was proved by seized letters. and also that the fact the late captures of federal sloops and small craft by the rebels off the Pc tomac and Rappahannock, were the work of de sign, and not of accident. the same containing eoutraband matters New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore merchants are thus implicated, and the proofs are too plain and startling to set aside.
 These three men were leagued together and among their several correspondence, were late letters from the rebel co l,ractprs, acknowledg ing the receipt of pistols and side arms.
 After being arrested, they were shifted from station house to prison. being one night taken out of town to stave of judicial decisions writs of habeas corpus, etc. Finally. on Sunday, MarShals Jenkins and Steele, drove them t. the New York boat-Wyatt, defiant, Gchris cowed and sullen, and the Israelite trembling like leaf
 A part of the corresp pondence duplicating them was obtained from the wife of Lieuten ant in the federal army, who had been rather decately implicated with \. H. Winder, now in Fort Lafayette She has been arrested in Newark, N. J., where she resides.
 The government decoy who assisted Franklin in these labors, Is said to be daring Californi. an, full of nerve and fertile in expe lients, who has been twice at Charleston aud thrice io Richmond, since the battle of Bull Run. Hi- manner of making the arrests cannot now be disclosed, although 1t rivals in interest and danger the exploits of the best Bow street of: hcers.