The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1869-01-21
IDAHO WORLD.
"REMINISCENCES OF FORT LAFAYETTE.

ing narrative, in the Louisville Courier
Journal, respecting the imprisonment
without any real cause, OF Dr. Gwln'
ex-senator of California, Calhoun Ben
ham, Esq, and j. Lancaster Brent, Esq,
in Fort Lafayette, in 1861. He says
have some peculiar "reminiscences
connected with Fort Lafayette. In 1861
three distinguished gentlemen, Hon,
William NJ. Gwin, who had served ma
nv years with distinction in the Senate
of the United States; Hon. Calhoun
Benham, who has been United States
District Attorney in California, and Mr..
Brent, who had been a prominent law
yer in Baltimore, and was then very
prominent lawyer Of California, en-
parked on a steamer for some point IN
the East. General Sumner was Oh board
the same steamer. When she was near
the Isthmus the General made them his
prisoners. He simply deigned to tell
them that he arrested them Oh suspicion
that they were intending to fight against
the United States, suspicion perfectly
preposterous in the case of DR.. Gwin,
who was an infrm old man of about
seventy years. When they demanded
the ground of his suspicion, he only an
swered that he entertained it, and was
not responsible for his suspicious. The
three victims were conveyed to the Fed
eral Government, and Mr. Seward, Sec
rotary of State, ordered them, without
all interview, to Fort Lafayette.
AS one of the three prisoners was my
near and very dear relative, fastened
very soon to Washington to procure
their release. l had written and tele-
graphed earnestly to the President for
the release of Governor Morehead, Mr..
Durett and others, but, when a member
of my own family was victim of OPP
preston and tyranny, Ifelt that | should
give my personal presence to the effort
for deliverance. arrived at the Capt.
tai long after dark and Gale immedi-
ately upon Mr.. Lincoln. He received
me with the greatest cordiality and ge-
niality, though he gently minated that
he rather thought that | had been a
little unjust to him. | asked him for
the discharge Of the three Fort Lafay-
cite prisoners, Gwin, Bef1ham and Brent.
He inquired what were the charges
against them. Of course | told him
thatI didn't know, and suggested wheth-
er it wasn't more his business than ours
to know. He answered, "well, don't
know about these things, but am dis
posed to do what can for you, and will
give you letter to Seward" took
the letter and called at Mr.. Stewards
Office the next morning The distin-
guished Secretary received me with his
accustomed amenity, but IN regard to
the matter in hand talked quite diplo-
matically. 1t was about my first expe
rience Of regular diplomatist's CON
versation. didn't much admire or I'M
derstand it. Mr.. S. invited me to take
tea with him that evening. | did. At
ter tea l renewed my application for
the release of my friends, and argued
the matter as we'll as | could. He had
only this reply to make II am consid-
ering the matter, and | shall be very
glad to see you at tea or breakfast or
dinner every day, and we will talk the
subject over"
One evening when | had been about
four days in Washington, ventured to
urge my request very strongly upon
the Secretary, and he said, "call at my
office tomorrow morning at half past
ten, and | will give you an order for the
release of your friends" Of course l
was punctual to the minute. Erred, "
said he, addressing his son and Assist
ant Secretary, give Mr.. Prentice the
document | directed you to make out. "
The Assistant Secretary placed it in my
hands. | read it. twas not an order
for the discharge of the victims. 1t
was onl y an order that l should have
the privilege Of seeing them in their
prison when I pleased. "Why, Mr..
Seward, this is not what you promised
me yesterday" "No, it is not, but l
specially desire that you go to New
York and talk with your friends, and
ascertain their feelings and intentions,