William H. Winder, a Marylander by birth, but a resident of
Philadelphia, and a brother of
Brigadier General John H. Winder, of the
Southern army, was arrested in
Philadelphia, by Federal authority, on Tuesday night, and all his correspondence and effects seized.
The Press gives the following particulars of the arrest:
‘
The prisoner is a broker, and has been doing business at 314 Walnut street. Latterly he has occupied rooms in Ninth street, above Chestnut, and taken meals at the
Washington Hotel.
He has been suspected of having treasonable communication with persons in the rebel States, and the detectives have watched him constantly.
A few weeks ago he refused to take the oath of allegiance, as prescribed to the
Reserve Grays, of which he was a member, and still later was accused of receiving and transmitting information southward.
Warrants were issued simultaneously at
Washington and
Philadelphia.
That signed by
Provost Marshal Porter stated that the prisoner was charged with an intention to ‘"seize, take, and possess the property of the
Government of the
United States,"’ and likewise to subvert and overturn the United States Government.
Having secured
Winder's clerk, Detectives
Franklin,
Bartholomew, and
Blackburn, next proceeded to an armory of the
Reserve Grays, in Walnut street, and, quietly exhibiting their warrants, directed him to go with them to his lodgings.
He was afterwards taken a side, stripped and searched, giving up his keys, pocket-book, letters, etc. At his rooms was found a quantity of valuable deeds of properties in
Washington,
Baltimore, and
Philadelphia, letters from a brother (
Chas. H. Winder) residing in
Washington, and from the
Brigadier Winder, of a more Southern latitude.
Among the curiosities of the place were the sword of
Gen. W. H. Winder, of the war of 1812, and a lot of historical relics and letters.
Some of the letters, it is said, reveal the way of thinking in the
South, prior to
Mr. Lincoln's election, showing conclusively a foregone intention to disrupt the
Union.--Others detail fragments of conversation to which
James Buchanan was a party, and exhibit a general looseness of sentiment in the presence of that functionary which might, at this time, be construed into treason.
We believe, however, that none of the documents directly inculpate
Winder; because, although most of them are filled with treason, they cannot be proved to have been written by the prisoner.
He was, however, the
Philadelphia correspondent of the New York Daily News, as copies of his letters were found pasted carefully in blanks, with notes and interpolations.
Winder was the owner of the ‘"Winder Buildings,"’ in
Washington city, now occupied as the Pension Bureau.
He is presumed to be wealthy, and has manifested a prudent guise since his arrest.
He is a small man, wearing dark glasses and a military cap, apparently forty-five years of age. The
District Attorney is overhauling his papers and collecting evidence.
Winder is connected with one of the oldest and best families of
Maryland, one or two of his relatives having been
Governors of that State.
His father, bearing the same name with the prisoner, commanded the
American troops at the rout of
Bladensburg, and was accused of cowardice when the capital was captured and desolated by
Cockburn and
Ross.
He died in 1824, and was honored with an immense funeral pageant.
Brigadier General John H. Winder, the prisoner's brother, resigned from the United States army some months ago, and joined the
Confederates.
He graduated at
West Point in 1820, in the same class with
A. J. Donelson,
D. D. Tompkins, and
Joshua Barney.
He was promoted from rank to rank, at one time resigning, and at another detailed as assistant professor of infantry tactics at
West Point.
He was breveted
Major in 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct at the battles of
Contreras and
Churubusco.
At the time of his resignation he was
Brevet Colonel of Artillery.
The
Inquirer says the brother of
Mr. W. is the owner of the ‘"Winder Building,"’ in
Washington, and that the
Government pays a rent of $25,000 per annum for it.
’
