Seizure of a steamer — examination of Passengers — a Lady's Petticoat Quilted with Sewing Silk.
The Baltimore American (Lincoln to the core) of Saturday, says:‘ Some excitement prevailed at Fort McHenry on Saturday, in consequence of the stopping of the steamer George Weems, at the fort, and the searching of the passengers under the direction of a party of police detailed for that purpose. The particulars of the case are as follows. About 7 o'clock on Saturday morning the steamer left her wharf for the various landings on the Patuxent river, having on board about one hundred passengers, a number of whom were women, and the police consisted of Capt. Thomas Carmichael, Lieut. James J. Wallis, Capt. John L. Bishop, and Lieut. Wm. B. Lyons, and some of the private force. Their presence on board was soon known by the passengers, who were considerably excited when the order was issued for the boat to stop
The officers soon acquainted them of the object of their presence, stating that for several months past persons had been traveling on the boats of the line for the purpose of conveying goods to the rebels, and that some parties were on board who were suspected, where upon the male passenger were ordered to the forward cabin, and the women aft in the main deck saloon. The process of searching then commented, which was as thorough as the number of determined Union ladies engaged by the police could make. This occupied three or four hours, and as each one was examined, she was consigned to the saloon further aft Contraband goods were found upon one of the females, who had on one of the most extraordinary garments ever gotten up by a dressmaker.--It was a well made quilted petticoat, and wadded or filled with skeins of silk, which weighed not less than thirty-five pounds, and supposed to be worth $200, as it is of the finest character Of course the garment was cut open and the silk abstracted. The woman is named Milburn, and was at once placed into custody. Her brother, a lad, was also searched, and he wore a very singularly made jacket. It was lined and stuffed throughout with neatly done up packages, all filled with a choice article of quinine, about three pounds in all. It usually sells for about $3 per ounce.
Both have relations in St. Mary's county, where they are well known, and for some time have been stopping in the large boarding house adjoining the Hebrew Synagogue, on Hanover street The search was continued, and a lot of contraband goods found in the state-rooms and concealed in various parts of the boat, and in the bedding were discovered about 60 letters, some of which were for parties living in Virginia, and others for parties in Maryland. There was also found a large boxes containing thousands of needles, and lots of soldiers' workbags filled with needles, pins, pincushions, silk, cotton, and military buttons. A lot of very heavy hose was found, and on about a dozen pairs was worked the name of Capt. Geo. Stewart, son of Geo. H. Stewart, late of he First Light Division Maryland Volunteers.
The freight next underwent an examination. There was a heavy supply of bacon, flour, sugar coffee, shoes, and clothing amongst it, but the officers declined seizing it as the parties to whom much of it was consigned were on board the steamer, and they declared that it was their usual winter supplies. These proceedings occupied the forenoon, when the police authorities here concluded to let the boat depart, especially as the male passengers were anxious to get home as soon as possible Marshal Dodge and Deputy McPhail have long been convinced of the fact, that contraband goods, letters and papers have been carried by the boats of the line, and therefore the detention and search were justifiable. Both of the accused have been discharged by the Provost Marshal.
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