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My Lord,

No. 30.

Lord Lyons to Earl Russell.—(Received March (5.)

Washington, February 29, 1864. I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship a copy of a despatch addressed by Mr. Seward to the United States' Consul at Halifax, in which it is stated that this Government, while it adheres to the opinion that the delivery of the "Chesapeake" ought to have been made at once by executive authority, is nevertheless gratified with the just and friendly proceedings of the officer administering the Government of Nova Scotia, and appreciates the enlightened and impartial spirit by which the Vice-Admiralty Court has been guided in the case.

Mr. Seward gave me a copy of this despatch the day before yesterday, and authorized me to communicate it to your Lordship and to Major-General Doyle. I send a copy of it to the Major-General to-day.

I have also the honour to transmit to your Lordship a copy of a note in which, in obedience to the instructions contained in your Lordship's despatch of the 3rd instant, I have informed Mr. Seward that Her Majesty's Government accept the apology of the United States for the violation of Her Majesty's territory committed by the United States' officers in pursuit of the "Chesapeake."

I have, &c.

(Signed)

Inclosure 1 in No. 30.

Mr. Seward to Mr. Jackson.

LYONS.

Sir,

Washington, February 24, 1864.

YOUR despatch of February 17 has been received. I learn from it that the Court of Vice-Admiralty has decreed that the "Chesapeake " and her cargo shall be delivered to her owner, on the condition of their payment of costs.

Under the President's directions I shall make this proceeding the subject of a communication to Her Majesty's Government. In the meantime I think it not improper to inform you that this Government, while it adheres to the opinion that the delivery of the Chesapeake "ought to have been made promptly and unconditionally by executive authority, is nevertheless gratified with the just and friendly proceedings of his Excellency the Governor of Nova Scotia in the premises, and appreciates the enlightened and impartial spirit by which the Vice-Admiralty Court has been guided in a case attended with some embarrassment and much local excitement.

The Secretary of the Navy will be informed of your views in regard to the necessity for a convoy of the "Chesapeake."

I am, &c.

(Signed)

W. H. SEWARD.

Inclosure 2 in No. 30.

Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.

Sir,

Washington, February 29, 1864.

HER Majesty's Government have had under their consideration the notes which you did me the honour to address to me on the 18th of December last, and on the 9th of last month, respecting the case of the "Chesapeake."

The readiness on the part of the Government of the United States to make all proper and suitable reparations for the acts of its officers which was manifested by the first of these notes, has rendered it unnecessary for Her Majesty's Government to insist upon the question which it would otherwise have been their duty to discuss at once with the Government of the United States, namely, the wilful and flagrant violation of Her Majesty's territory by the officers of the United States' cruizer "Ella and Annie."

The Government of the United States having subsequently made by the second note a full apology for the violation of Her Majesty's territory, it only remains for me to state to you that Her Majesty's Government accept that apology in the same spirit in which it [157]

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has been offered, and are truly glad that the matter has been settled in a manner honourable to both parties, and calculated to improve the friendly relations which Her Majesty's Government are always anxious to maintain with the Government of the United States.

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My Lord,

Lord Lyons to Earl Russell.—(Received March 17.)

Washington, March 4, 1864. WITH reference to my despatch of the 29th ultimo, I have the honour to inclose a copy of a note from Mr. Seward acknowledging with satisfaction the receipt of the note dated the 29th ultimo, in which I informed him that Her Majesty's Governinent accepted the apology offered by the Government of the United States for the violation of British territory committed by its officers in the case of the "Chesapeake."

I have, &c.

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My Lord,

Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.

Department of State, Washington, March 2, 1864.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge with satisfaction the receipt of your note of the 29th ultimo, in which, referring to my notes to you of the 18th of December last and of the 9th of January of this year, respecting the case of the "Chesapeake," you inform me that Her Majesty's Government, in view of the readiness evinced by the Government of the United States to make all proper and suitable reparation for the acts of its officers and of the apology made for the violation of Her Majesty's territory, accept that apology in the same spirit in which it has been offered. I have, &c.

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NORTH AMERICA.

No. 10. (1864.)

DESPATCH

FROM

LORD LYONS

REFERRING TO THE

ALLEGED REPORT

OF THE

SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ·

OF THE

SO-STYLED CONFEDERATE STATES.

Presented to the House of Commons by Command of Her Majesty, in pursuance of their Address dated April 21, 1864.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY HARRISON AND SONS.

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