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

Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.

Washington, December 9, 1862.

Sir: Her Majesty’s government having had under their consideration the letter to the Secretary of the Navy, dated 31st of October last, of which you were so good as to send a copy to Mr. Stuart on the 3d of last month, have seen with great satisfaction that you have requested the Secretary of the Navy to issue instructions to the United States naval officers not to search or open the public mails of any neutral or friendly power found on board of captured vessels, but to send such mails to their destination as quickly as maybe.

I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

LYONS.

Hon. Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c.