Mr. Daly to Mr. Jackson
Sir: The lieutenant governor, Sir R. G. Macdonnell, has this day received a letter from the British charge d’affaires at Washington, transmitting a copy of a telegram sent by you on the 7th instant to Mr. Seward, representing that another raid into the United States from Canada is in contemplation.
His excellency instructs me to remind you that on the 2d of January you had interviews with him in reference to the existence of a supposed conspiracy here by parties contemplating a raid into the United States from Canada, which you had similarly represented to Mr. Seward, who immediately transmitted, through the English embassy, a copy of that communication to his excellency.
The lieutenant governor informed you on that occasion of his earnest desire to assist by all means in his power to prevent this province being made a centre for intrigues against a neighboring and friendly State. He understood, therefore, that you would not fail to communicate with him on receipt of any reliable information connected with illegal associations in this province, intended to disturb the peace or assail the property of the neighboring States.
His excellency, therefore, desires me to suggest, that there is something incongruous and inconvenient at his continuing to receive from Washington information which, if it concerns any persons in this province, might obviously be more usefully communicated to this government, than by a circuitous route, and a delay of nearly a fortnight. In all such matters promptitude of action is the thing most needed.
The lieutenant governor would, therefore, feel obliged by your taking an early opportunity of waiting on him, and fully explaining the nature of the proceedings contemplated by parties hostile to the United States; that he will endeavor to counteract such plots on British ground, so far as any action for that purpose can be taken by this government.
I have, &c.,
U. S. Consul JACKSON, &c., &c., &c.