The New York herald., 1862-02-14
The Case OF Mr.. Malcolm Ives.

ieueracy.
The Case OF Mr.. Malcolm Ives.
We published few days ago Mr. Secretary
Stanton's order directing the arrest and impri-
sonment of Mr.. Ives, and reciting the charges
preferred against him. We received yesterday
the following letter from Mr.. Ives, who is now
confined In Fort McHenry and it is but fair
that 1t should be published, in order shat the
case may be fully understood
FoRr McIIEsRr, Feb IL, 1852
JAnS GORDON BENNETT, Esq -
On Sunday night was informed at wlard's by per
son had not previously that he valuable inte
gence give inc about some recent arrssts n would
step to the Washington HERALD efce As soon IS
was outside Of the door he told was in custody was
brought hher by the next train 10 Baltimore and have
been in close confinement ever sincs.
This morning the Baltimore journals were shown mo-
and for the first time became Of tho cause Of my
Saturday afternoon, at hour which he had been kind
enough to uame, and was Afterwards received by Mr.
Secretary Stanton. inquired Of both gsntemcn somc
arrangement could not be made by which appointments
and removals In the army could be published regularly
and without such bunders have occurred some OF
our newspaers and suggested that the public good de-
manded that inaccurate Statements calculated deceive
the friends Of the parties concerned should APP
Mr. Watson referred me entirely to Mr.. Stanton who he
said reserved 10 himself the power Of treating such sub
jects. made impationt comment on the necessity
which the Secretary Of Wars engagements created TO
prcong antechamborng; but did not imagine that my
remark would be received ins0ent conveynga
threat OF hostility. On parting with Mr. Watson, he
shook hands with me in friendly manner, and was
unconscious Of having merited excited splsasure
10 the request from Mr. Stanton of regular lists Of new
appointments, which pronered the readily y
similar ono had been freely acceded TO- that very
ing, in another department. added strong remarks
against the manner in which the relations OF the Pres
dent tho Commander in Chief and members Of the Cab
net with each other had been frequently msreprssensd
and pressed the Importance Of his allowing tho HERALo
correspondents to ask freely for information from him.
which would enable them to contradict false rumors
authoriativoy. Nj Stanton's frankness cordiaty OF
manner and the confidence he had appeared to feel
previous occasions led to speak With perfect
straint, and expressed tho wish strongly that the
HERALD might be given all the possible and how
was to aid in keeping it in advance OF other
papers and especially to enable it to its proui
nen position champion OF tho administration OF the
War Department itself and of General Mcclellan If
failed in respect to Mr. Stanton addressed him with
undue familiarity regret exceedingly, and can only
plead innocence OF any such intention.
born in the State Of New York: the brother who
has joined the rebel service, have held communica
ton with for years; nor have acquaintance who
is o sccSsoast to my knowledge; nor have done or
said anything which should lead me TO be
suspected Of being "spy" All my efforts
humble atache Of the HERALD, to assist, under your
direction in the great work OF restoring the integrity Of
the Union and crushing out armed treason In the most
prompt and effective Neither have lever violated
knowingly any rule OF the War Department. II have
contravened any regulation, it has been in ignorance.
think it right to state, how that the worry crcum
stances Of my late errand to Washington excited
against very bitter anraosy IN the minds Of certain
individuals and was warned on several occasions that
tho most absurd statements had been made specng
mo and that had been quoted a. uterng sentiment
which never fell from my lips. am morally sure that
caunnious had been made to Mr. Stanton
respecting me, previous to my interview with him Of
the Sth inst and attribute to them the erroneous
structon placed upon my words by himself and Mr..
Watson and the pre- slander had left the
minds OF those gentlemen, the greater part of the
charges in the order OF the 10th INST against
me.
trust that my loyalty and devotion to ths Union and
the constitution will speedily be made manifest tho
government, and that shall then be released and en-
abled to report to you IN Now Y0t.. With much re-
spect, your obodient servant, MALCOLM IVES.
Such is Mr.. Ives story Of the circumstances
attending his arrest; and its tone is so different
from that be is accused by Secretary Stanton of
using in the War Department that we imagine
Fort McHenry has cooled the writer very
greatly. We have but Q word or two to
add to the representations of Secretary Stan
ton and Mr.. Ives. If Mr.. Ives has his faults he
undoubtedly acquired them in the offices of the
New York Times and the journal of Commerce
with both of which papers he has had long
editorial connection. His position upon the
HERALD he accurately describes as that of ian
humble atache;' for he was never an editor of
the HERALD; he had no control of this journal,
and was, indeed, only an occasional writer, who
contributed articles upon prescribed sub
jects, and in accordance with prescribed
directions. We sent him to Washington for the
simple purpose of making a single change in
our corps of regular correspondents there. He
had no authority from us to 60 to the War De-
partment and make either such representations
as those of which he is accused or those which
he acknowledge Wehave every respect for the
War Department and the Secretary Of War, and
should as soon think of threatening Mr.. Stanton
or attempting to dictate to him as we would
of allowing him or any other person to inter-
fere with our business or dictate our opinions.
For the rest, what we know Of hr. Ives is op-
posed to the idea Of his being rebel spy.
Ever since he has been with us he has professed
the strongest loyalty to the Union We hope
that he may be able to make his innocence ap-
parent.