Lord Lyons to Mr.
Seward.
Washington,
May 24, 1864.
Sir: Her Majesty’s government have had under
their consideration the note which you did me the honor to address to me
on the 16th March last, respecting the coals carried off from Angra
Pequena by the United States ship Van-derbilt.
Her Majesty’s government conceive that if those coals were, at the time
they were taken, the property of the British mercantile firm of William
Anderson, Saxon & Co., that firm is entitled to compensation for
them. In proof of their being the owners of the coals, Messrs. Anderson,
Saxon & Co. have produced the original bill of lading, which I have
the honor to transmit to you herewith. They have, moreover, sent
particulars of the claim to agents at New York, and I trust you will
authorize me to inform those agents that it may be sent in, and that if
the particulars be found to be correct, it will be promptly
satisfied.
I beg you to be so good as to send the bill of lading back to me.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most
obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
William Anderson, Saxon & Co., shipped in good order and
condition, by, in, and upon the good ship called the Earl of Marr
and Kellie, Captain J. Still, now riding at anchor in Table bay and
bound for Angra Pequena, two hundred and fifty tons coal, (to be
taken from alongside the ship within ten days, at the expense and
risk of the consignee, the captain rendering all assistance in his
power in landing the coals,) being marked and numbered as in the
margin, and are to be delivered in the like good order and
condition, at the aforesaid port of Angra Pequena, (the act of God,
the Queen’s enemies, fire, and all and every other dangers and
accidents of the seas, rivers, and navigation of whatever nature and
kind soever, excepted,) unto order, or to my assigns. Freight for
the said goods being paid here, say 20 shillings per ton, without
primage and average accustomed. In witness whereof, the master or
purser of the said ship hath affirmed to four bills of lading, all
of this tenor and date, one of which bills being accomplished, the
other three to stand void.
JOHN STILL.
Dated in Cape Town, September 3, 1863.
Received a quantity of coals, weight unknown.
THOS.BOYCE, For Anderson, Saxon &
Co.
