Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-05-14
To tho Public.

MeSSrs. Editors In justice to q native Of
Virginia, the following statement is made
DR.. Daniel z. Conrad, past Assistant Sur
geon in the Navy Of the United States, was
one Of the medical officers on board the steam.
ship Niagara, in her late cruise to japan and the
Chinese seas. The Niagara arrived at Boston
about the Goth Of April last, and, as soon as
she anchored, some new oath was rendered to
her officers. We are not informed as to the
exact terms Of this oath, but its prescription
is contrary to all prior usage in the service,
unauthorized by any existing Law Of the Uni
ted States, and intended, doubtless, 10 take
some new hold upon Southern officers.
The Southern officers on board the ship,
being mine in number, at once, unanimously,
refused to take the oath, and were all immedi-
ately ordered to leave the ship. They at once
obeyed, and, leaving their clothes, attempted
to make their way honeward or to Washing
ton city. Some disguised themselves to avoid
attack as Southern men, and thus made their
escape home by circuitous routes.
DR.. Conrad, not disguised, had taken the
cars from Boston to New York city, and when
on the train, was arrested by order Of Govern
or Andrews, of Massachusetts,, under what
color is not certainly known. He is now a
prisoner, with three others, his late comrades,
on board the receiving ship Ohio, in Boston
harbor, and was only relieved from close con-
finement or jail, by giving his parole not to at
tempt an escape until the Department ut
Washington could be heard from.
The authorities have caused to be published
in the newspapers the fact of the refusal to
take the oath, by the five officers who escaped;
but have, for solle reason, omitted in the pub
LEGATION, the names Of the four other refusing
officers, now in confinement because Of their
refusal.
Inquiries have been made at the Navy De-
part7nent at Washington, for information i'll
regaad to Or. Conrad's case, but no ~satisfac.
tory replies could be had. 10 one it was stated
that he was under arrest for refusing to take
an oath OF allegiance; to another that he was
held as a hostage for the safe delivery Of some
Northern officers who were arrested and held
in the South and to another, that he was in
custody, under Z charge of high treason, pre-.
ferred BY the Governor of Massachusetts.
Two letters written by his father, concerning
him, to the Hon. Secretary of the Navy, in
respectful TERMS, remain unanswered.
Several letters from him, through the mail,
have been allowed, safely, to reach his family /;
Out lTOlD lucSe lelIClS ~ Noiid apPS"l l'iaI iS
is kept in profound ignorance even Of the pub
lie occurrences Of the time, and the condition
of his home and relatives and that frequent
letters written TO him have been seized aud
suppressed before they reached his band.
It also appears that whilst kept inthis con-
dition Of suspense and mental anxiety, and
seeing every day the war-ltke preparations 20
ing on around him, the intiInation is given that
he can obtain his release only By giving his
parole as a prisoner Of war not to serve his
native State.
Whatever may be the pretext for this treat
ment, the public may be assured that the total
of his offence is the refusal to take this new
test oath, or to bind himself by any new en-
gagements to the present Federal authorities.
These officers left the United States on public
service before our present troubles commenced
or apprehended, and have not been permitted
since their return to learn the nature or ex-
tent Of these troubles and, consequently, the
effect sndgoperationsof the new engagements
HoN. WV. G. RIvEs.-T This gentleman has
not declined the Office of Commissioner to the
Confederate States, as reported the other day.
The L~ynchburg "Republican' Of Saturday an
nounced his passage through that place en-
route to Montgomery.