Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the notes from the State Department of the 3d and 8th instant, relative to the unseemly position in which the British flag was placed on board the captured vessel James Campbell, in New York harbor.
No sooner did the superior naval authorities of the United States at New York perceive the position in which the flag was placed, than they ordered it to be removed. Commodore Paulding, moreover, immediately wrote to her Majesty’s consul to express his regret at the occurrence. He was, besides, so good as to address a letter to the commander of her Majesty’s ship Racer, disavowing, in behalf of the government of the United States, any intention to show disrespect to the British flag.
Finally, it appears from the report of the prize master, of which you have now done me the honor to send me a copy, that he acted from ignorance and without any intention to slight the flag.
Under these circumstances it only remains for me to express my thanks for the prompt measures which have been taken by the United States authorities to do away with the unpleasant impression produced by the error of the prize master.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.