From the Richmond Commercial Bulletin, 5/6/1865, p. 3, c. 1

THE ARREST OF THE AGENTS OF EXCHANGE. – A great deal of speculation and surmise has been indulged in as to the real grounds upon which Messrs. Robert Ould and William H. Hatch, Confederate Agents of Exchange, were arrested by the military authorities and committed to the Libby Prison. We believe it is understood that the arrests were made upon an order from Washington, and that the parties so incarcerated are charged, upon the affidavit of several persons, with embezzlement – or, in other words, with the malappropriation of funds belonging to the prisoners of war in Richmond, and sent them by friends, and entrusted into their hands as agents of exchange. The residence of Col. Hatch, in the upper part of the city, was taken possession of by the Provost Marshal, and a large amount in greenbacks, gold, &c., was surrendered to him, which, it was said, belonged to the prisoners. Major Morfitt, an officer in Col. Carrington’s department, was the custodian of all monies and valuables sent to and taken from the persons of the prisoners, but when Richmond was evacuated he left the city, removing the safe in which a large sum of money and valuables was contained. His whereabouts is unknown, but the friends of the officials under arrest are very anxious that he should return and give an account of his stewardship, which statement, it is asserted, would relieve both of the gentlemen now under arrest, from the charge under which they now unfortunately lie.

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