Mr. Stuart to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 23d instant, respecting the position of Mr. Peter Goolrick, as British vice-consul at Fredericksburg, and the proceedings of the military authorities there in searching his premises, in taking forcible possession of his British flag as well as a quantity of flour, the property of a British subject, which had been intrusted to him, and finally in arresting his person and bringing him to Washington, where he has been for several days past a prisoner on parole.
You are pleased to inform me that Mr. Goolrick’s position as British vice-consul was entirely unknown to the State Department, and that it might be questionable whether, as a citizen of the United States, he has any claim upon her Majesty’s government, or whether her Majesty’s government have any claim to interfere on his behalf; but, as you state that you are not disposed to stand upon technicalities, and as it was not my intention to raise the question, it is unnecessary that I should reply further to that part of your note, unless instructed to do so by her Majesty’s government, to whom it will be my duty to refer the whole case. With regard to the British flag taken from Mr. Goolrick, you state that, if so taken, it will be restored; with regard to the flour seized, that a commission will be appointed to inquire into the ownership, and that, if the allegation is correct, it will be either restored or paid for, and, with regard to his arrest, that directions have been given for his release, in order that he may return to Fredericksburg.
In thanking you for this communication, the only part of it to which I need now reply is that to which I have not attended in its proper order, and in which you submit to me whether it is of importance to retain Mr. Goolrick or any other vice-consul at so small a place as Fredericksburg, at the same time expressing your readiness to acknowledge him in that capacity for the present, provided it be found consistent with the public safety to leave him at liberty; and if, after examining into the facts, the United States government do not find him an improper person. On these points I can only request that if no treasonable charges can be proved against Mr. Goolrick, he may be permitted to continue in the exercise of his vice-consular functions until I have time to receive instructions upon the subject from her Majesty’s government, as I have no power on my own responsibility to suspend a consular officer from his functions.
I think, however, that I may assure you that Earl Russell will be anxious to [Page 266] consider the whole subject in the same spirit in which you have yourself treated it, and that in the meantime it would not be his lordship’s wish that I should attempt to shield Mr. Goolrick from the consequences of any crimes or misdemeanors which he may have committed, punishable by the laws of the United States, should any such be proved against him.
I avail myself of this occasion to renew to you the assurance of my highest consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.