Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
Department of State, Washington, January 10, 1863.
My Lord: With reference to your note of the
29th ultimo, on the subject of alleged disregard by Rear-Admiral Wilkes
of the regulations of her Majesty’s
[Page 491]
government in respect to the use by belligerents
of British waters, I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter of the
8th instant, addressed to this department by the Secretary of the Navy,
and of the extract from the report of commander Collins, to which it
refers.
I have the honor to be, your very obedient servant,
Right Honorable Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
Navy
Department,
January 8, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 3d instant, inviting my attention to a
communication dated the 29th ultimo, a copy of which you enclosed,
addressed to you by Lord Lyons, representing that our cruisers in
the neighborhood of the Bahamas are in the habit of disregarding the
regulations of her Britannic Majesty’s government with regard to the
use by belligerents of British waters.
Acting Rear-Admiral Wilkes’s attention has been called to the
allegations, and he has been enjoined not to trespass on what are
clearly British waters.
From the report of Commander Collins, an extract of which is herewith
enclosed, it would seem that the Elias Reed was not seized within
the territorial jurisdiction of Great Britain. The position is
represented as about four miles distant from the cays in sight. It
is admitted by the department, that the shoals and waters over a
marine league from the cays are within the territorial jurisdiction
of Great Britain.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the
Navy.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
[Untitled]
United States Steamer
Octorara, Little Bahama
Bank, November 6,
1862.
Sir: I have the honor to report that we
seized the confederate schooner Elias Reed, William Blakely, master,
yesterday, at 6 o’clock p.m., in four and a half fathoms water, in
latitude about 20° 59’ 30” north, longitude about 77° 49’ west, the
centre of Umbrella bay bearing northeast by north, and the south end
of Allen’s cay east by north true, distant about four miles. * * *
*
No papers were found on board. Her cargo and a confederate flag are
the only indications of her character. She is believed to have been
from St. Mary’s, Georgia, and bound to Nassau. * * *
Very respectfully, &c.,
Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
