Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part I

Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.

Department of State, Washington, November 24, 1862.

My Lord: Your lordship’s note of this date, which prefers, in the name of your government, certain complaints of injurious and offensive conduct and de partment on the part of Acting Rear-Admiral Wilkes in his command of the Gulf squadron, has been submitted to the President.

Those complaints will be promptly made known to the Secretary of the Navy, and the Acting Rear-Admiral’s proceedings on the occasion referred to will be thoroughly investigated, with a fixed purpose of securing a faithful observance by Acting Rear-Admiral Wilkes of the law of nations, and of the courtesy due to the government and the authorities of Great Britain.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your lordship the assurance of my high consideration.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.