Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
My Dear Lord Lyons: I have received your lordship’s papers relating to the case of the Chesapeake at Halifax, described as follows: An extract from a despatch from General Doyle, administrator of the government of Nova [Page 491] Scotia, to you, dated the 6th instant; a copy of a telegram from General Doyle to you, dated the 14th instant; and a copy of a letter from the mayor of Halifax to the provincial secretary, dated the 30th of December last.
It gives me pleasure to acknowledge that the proceedings of the governor general of Nova Scotia in regard to this matter seem to have been conducted in good faith towards his own government as well as towards that of the United States.
It appears to the President, however, that the governor general, as the executive officer of the province of Nova Scotia, under the circumstances of that extraordinary case, ought to have relinquished to the agents of this government the stolen vessel and the pirates found on board of her, subject to the express engagement of this government to answer to the British government any claim that it might have either upon the ship or the men. It will be fortunate, indeed, if the delays whieh have resulted from the opposite course adopted by his excellency do not encourage the same or other offenders to the commission of new crimes against the peace and dignity of both countries. We shall await the termination of the judicial proceedings which have been instituted in the case with deep interest, and it can hardly be necessary for me to say that, in the view of this government, no adverse decision of the provincial tribunals can modify the claim of the owners of the vessel and cargo to the full restitution which has been asked by this department.
I am, my dear Lord Lyons, faithfully yours always,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.