Nice Digs - Fifth Avenue Hotel (1859; LOC - LC-USZ62-73675)
From The New-York Times August 24, 1861:
IMPORTANT ARRESTS.; OVER $200,000 SEIZED BY THE POLICE.
A day or two ago, information was received at Police Head-quarters, that a wealthy merchant and tobacco manufacturer, residing at Petersburgh, Va., was in the City, engaged in making collections for himself and other Southern merchants, from their creditors in this City. Sergeant YOUNG, of the Detective force, and Detective King, were accordingly deputed to make search for him, with a view to his arrest. After much time spent in fruitless search, they at last became satisfied that the offender they sought was stopping at the Fifth-avenue Hotel. Thither they went, and found him just on the point of taking his departure for the South, he having concluded his business an hour or two previously. He was taken to the Police Head-quarters, and there searched. Upon his person was found about $200,000 in Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia six per cent. bonds, about $1,000 in gold, over $100 in Virginia bank-notes, and a large number of drafts, acceptance, certificates of deposit, &c., the amount of which is at present unknown. Also, a large number of letters from men in this City and Boston, to merchants in the rebel States. The Southerner’s name is JOHN GARNETT GUTHERIE, an extensive tobacco-planter, manufacturer and merchant, and is reputed very wealthy, owning three large tobacco plantations in Virginia, and carrying on a large manufactory in Petersburgh.
New Digs - Fort Layafette (Harper's Bazaar 9-7-1861)
At about the same time, another merchant, named GEORGE MILES, from Richmond, Va., and who is said to be connected in some way with GUTHERIE, having often been seen his company within the last few days, in this City, was arrested by the detectives at the Metropolitan Hotel, and, upon being searched at Police Head-quarters, there were found upon his person important papers and letters, showing him to be a rabid Secessionist, and in connection with GUTHERIE, engaged in selling tobacco in this City, and collecting from their customers here, and also in Boston and Philadelphia. About $800 in money was found upon MILES, also drafts, notes, checks, &c. The money and papers found upon both of these Southern gentlemen were taken into the custody of the proper authorities, to the end that they may be used in the future investigation of their case. A telegram was immediately, sent to the authorities at Washington asking for direction in the matter. Last Thursday evening a reply was received ordering their imprisonment for the present at Fort Lafayette, whither they were sent this morning. The Police authorities regarded it unsafe to allow the publication of these arrests at the time they were made, which was on Wednesday evening.
According to a September article in The Times Miles and Guthrie were still imprisoned at Fort Lafayette as of September 24, 1861. Also, from that September article,
Fort Lafayette named by some the American Bastile, is not a Bastile at all, in fact the fort is more like a hotel than anything else, where the proprietor is rather strict and has a wholesome dread of fire, insisting upon all lights being out at 9 o’clock. Beyond that, the fare is excellent, and the view of the ocean extensive. …
Fort Lafayette housed Confederate prisoners of war and political opponents of the administration throughout the war. It sounds like the editors at The Times have no intention of ending up there as prisoners.
Another view - gotta love that fresh sea air (Currier and Ives c1861; LOC - LC-USZC2-590)
