The following named persons are reported to me as being detained against their will by martial law . . A[ndrew] J. Higbee. P. T. Rolf[e]. . J. T. Rolph. It will tend greatly to allay excitement if they shall be immediately discharged and suffered to go without molestation.

It is also reported here and generally beleived but whither truly or not I have not yet learned, that their are many forageing parties abroad from committing depredations upon the cattle and property in the vicinity. These acts if corectly reported must absolutely cause [cease] immediately, if you espect any person here to have the power to preserve the peace In case the persons accused should make no resistance to an arrest it will be against orders to be accompanied with others. If it should become necessary to have witnesses on the trials, I will see that such persons shall be duly summoned, and I will also guarrantee the safety of all such persons as may thus be brought to this place from either for trial or as witnesses for the accused. [p. 9]