Richmond Va.

Octr 24th 1859

To Charles C. Egerton Jr.

Genl. Comdg. etc etc

Sir.

In reply to yours of the 21st. inst., I say at the earliest moment, that I do not consider the arms captured on Maryland or any other soil, by Maryland or any other troops, as belonging to the troops which captured them.  I deem them the property of the criminals charged with using these arms unlawfully until they are convicted, and then these arms will be subject to forfeiture according to the judgment of the court which tries the persons accused.  The arms will then become, I presume, the property of the U. States or of the State of Virginia whose jurisdiction and territory have been invaded by these persons.  And if these persons are acquitted the arms captured belonging to them must be restored.  They were placed in the arsenal at Harper's Ferry, and Col. Lee in command of the US. Marines, informed me that after they were there placed for safe keeping some forty or fifty of rifles, and how many pistols he could not say, were taken without leave or authority by some of the Maryland troops.  These, thus taken, I beg leave respectfully to say should be restored to the armory Arsenal.

Very Respectfully

Yours etc

Henry A. Wise

Governor's Office, Letters Received, Henry A. Wise, Record Group 3, Library of Virginia.