Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Sir: With reference to the correspondence which I had the honor to hold with you in the months of October and November last, respecting the bag of despatches taken from Mr. J. P. Crosse, at Baltimore, I beg to inform you that her Majesty’s government have obtained from her Majesty’s acting consul at Richmond a description of the bag as it left his hands. That description is as follows :
“The bag in question was of canvas, as usual, and was closed in such a manner as to prevent access to its contents without cutting the tape or cord, which was sealed through parchment with the seal of this consulate. The parchment had the following address on it: ‘On her Majesty’s service. E. M. Archibald, esq., her Britannic Majesty’s consul, New York. Consulate of Virginia.’”
Her Majesty’s government consider that this seal and address ought to have been respected by the United States authorities, and her Majesty’s government [Page 258] have consequently instructed me to complain to you of the bag’s having been opened.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.