No. 30
Lord Lyons to Earl Russell.
Washington,
February 29, 1864.
My Lord: I have the honor 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
Generar Doyle. I send a copy of it to the major general to-day.
I have also the honor 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 3d 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.,
LYONS.
[Page 559]
[Enclosure 1 in No. 30.]
Mr. Seward to Mr. Jackson.
Washington,
February 24,
1864.
Sir: 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
mean time 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 un
conditionally 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.
WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
[Enclosure 2 in No. 30.]
Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Washington,
February 29,
1864.
Sir: Her Majesty’s government have had
under their consideration the notes which you did me the honor
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 willful and flagrant violation of her Majesty’s
territory by the officers of the United States cruiser Ella
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 has been offered, and are truly glad that the matter
has been settled in a manner honorable 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.
I have, &c.,
