Amos T. Akerman to Lewis E. Johnson, 14 November 1871

Nov. 14, 1871. L. E. Johnson, Esq. U. S. Marshal, Columbia, S. C. Sir: I desire that you will furnish to this Department a list of names of all persons imprisoned in your District under the authority of the United States, except such as have been committed under precept of Judges or Commissioners, showing also the date of each arrest, and, in general terms, the offences for which the parties were arrested. This list is desired for the purposes of the second section of the Act of March 3, 1863, relating to habeas corpus, et. ect. (12 U. S. Stat. p.755,) which is referred to in the fourth section of the Act of April 20, 1871. The list should also show whether the prisoners were arrested by the military or civil authorities ; and if by the military at what time they were turned over to you. Very respectfully, A. T. Akerman, Attorney General.