Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I learn from a report made by the British vice-consul at Key West to her Majesty’s consul at New York, that the district attorney at the former place does not appear to be aware of the wishes of the government of the United [Page 527] States regarding the public mails of friendly powers found on board captured merchant vessels. I venture, therefore, to suggest that it would be advisable to give the district attorney instructions in the sense of your letter to the Secretary of the Navy, of the 31st of October last.
The mails were restored to the captain of the captured vessel in the case (that of the Magicienne) which has been specially brought to my notice; but it would seem that this was done on the ground of the illegality of the capture, and that, under other circumstances, the district attorney would have felt justified in detaining the mails.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.