Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-02-14
Important krrest of a Newspaper Spy.
ms cosrl4rMrNr IN FOpT ncaESpy.
WAR DgrAnTMENT,
Washington, Feb. 10, 1862.


Ordered that person calling himself Dr. Ives,
native of IL Rebel State, whose brother, lately
in the military service Of the United States, "
now an officer in the Rebel army, mud who pre-
tends 10 De II srecia representative pf the New
York WsrdM for Washington lie arrested and
held i'll close custody AT Fort Mclienry AS spy,
and for violating the rules aud regulations Of
this Department in this:
That on Saturday the Hih day of February,
lSG2 against the pnhlc and well known regn
lallOns Tor the aale transaction ot Congressional
business, he intIulcl himself into the War De-
pariinent and into the Chambers where the Sec
retnty aud lis assistants were transacting busi-
ness with members Of Congress, for the purpose
Of hpying and obtaining war news nnd inlelll-
gpnGe in regard 10 Cabinet consultations, tele-
graphs, Sc for publication, which he knew was
not authorized to be published; and having 10
intended, he conducted himself insolenty, max
ing threats to the Assistant Secretary, Peter II.
Watson, oi the hostility OF the New York Herdd
against the administration of the War Depart
ment, unless he was afforded special privileges
and furnished intelligence hy the Department in
respect to Cabinet consultations, kilograms, oil l.
ca communications, md all news the moment
it WAS received by the Department, in advance
Of nll other papera.
The War Department is the place where the
President, the Commander in Chief of the Army
nnd Navy aud his subOrdnates, the Secretary OF
War, AMI other public officers, are earnestly en- l.
gagged III the business of overcoming treason aud
/ rebellion against the Government Of the United
States, 1t IS not place where spies or traitors,
or any person, hut for public purposes, can be
/ suffered 10 cutter Or harbor.
Newspapers are valuable organs Of public in
teligence and instruction, And every proper
mcliiy will be afforded to all loyal persons II
procure, ou equal terms, information OF suct
public facts ms may be properly made known il
time Of rebellion But no matter how useful oil
powerful the press may be, like everything else
1t is subordinate to the national safety. Ihi
fate VI nn army or the destiny Of the nation may
be impcrillcd by n spy in the garb Of n news
paper agent The nation is ia conflict Will
treason and rcbelli0u-lnay he threatened by
foreign foes.
The lives aud fortunes of twenty millions .
people, and the peace aud happiness OF thei
pusturty in tho loyal States-the fate If publ
liberty and republican government iorever-ar
staked upon the instant issue. The duties o
the President and his Secretary, OF every Office
of the Government, especially in the War Dc
partment nnd military service, are at this mo
meut urgent aud solemn-the most urgent an
solemn That ever fell upon men. No news gath
erer, nor any other person, for sordid or trea
soulble purposes, can be- suffered to intrud
upon tlem AT such time to procure news b
threats, or spy out official acts which the salet
OF the nation requires not 10 be disclosed.
For these reasons the aforesaid Ives has bee
arrested and imprisoned, aud all persons
oilening will he ealt with in like manner.
(Signe,D EpwIS NJ. STANTON,
Secretary ol War
Dr. Ives has accordingly been arrested NJ
imprisoned in Fort Mciienry.