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UNITED STATES MARSHAL'S OFFICE
New York, January 21, 1862

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
SIR: I have the honor to inclose a letter from the physician to the Department of Public Charities and Correction stating that John O'Brien, one of the crew of the Sumter, exhibits symptons of insanity and suggesting his removal from the city prison to a lunatic asylum. Will you please favor me with your instructions concerning the prisoner by an early post, as the doctor's statements are well founded.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

ROBERT MURRAY,
U. S. Marshal.

CITY PRISON, January 15, 1862.

S. Draper, Esq., President, &c.
SIR: John O'Brien, one of the crew of the Sumter, is in a very desponding state and has symptons of permanent insanity, which calamity might perhaps be prevented if he could be removed to an asylum for such cases.

ABBOTT HODGMAN, M. D.

Letter from William Seward to Edward Bates Regarding Richard Palmer and John O'Brien