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

Lord Lyons to H. B. M. Consul at——.

Washington, January 30,1863.

Sir: Among certain intercepted correspondence which has been published in the newspapers appear two letters from Mr. Memminger, in which he expresses a belief that her Majesty’s government would permit her Majesty’s ships to carry from blockaded ports, specie, if it were British property.

It is not to be supposed that any of her Majesty’s consular or naval officers would, in defiance of her Majesty’s proclamation and of the orders of their official superiors, be concerned in receiving specie, or any other goods, to whomsoever belonging, through the blockade; but in order to prevent all possible mistake, I renew my injunction to you, not to send anything, whatever, away from a place under blockade, in a British ship-of-war, except British or French official despatches of such consular officers of other powers, in amity with the United States, as are sent out in their official capacity, and paid by their respective governments, and as are not engaged in trade.

You will make the purport of this instruction known to the commanding officers of any of her Majesty’s ships which may visit your consular district, and request them to act in conformity with it.

I send copies to Earl Russell, and to Vice-Admiral Sir A. Milne.

I am, &c.,

LYONS.

H. B. M. Consul, at—