Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
Department of State, Washington,
May 31, 1864.
My Lord: I have the honor to enclose a copy of
a despatch of the 26th instant, from J. Q. Howard, esq., the consul of
the United States at St. John New Brunswick, relative to the passage
through that city of unusual numbers, of disloyal citizens of the United
States, en route for Canada, among them the insurgent leader Frost.
Under these circumstances I would suggest that your lordship would do
well to call the attention of the governor general to this movement,
with a view to the adoption of such precautionary measures as will
frustrate any hostile expedition against the United States from her
Majesty’s provinces, should such be contemplated.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, my lord, your obedient
servant,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Howard to Mr. F. W. Seward.
United States Consulate,
St. John, New
Brunswick,
May 26, 1864.
Sir: I beg leave to inform the department
that an unusually large number of disloyal citizens of the United
States have quite recently passed through this city en route for
Canada, via Frederickton and River du Loup.
The greater part of these insurgents have been living for some
months in Halifax; others have found their way north from Nassau and
Bermuda. The rebel General Frost has also recently proceeded to
Canada from St. John.
In view of these facts it is possible that another raid from Canada
upon our northern frontier may be attempted.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
J. Q. HOWARD, United States
Consul.
F. W. Seward, Esq., Assistant Secretary of State.
