Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
My Lord: Referring to the correspondence, which has taken place between us, relative to the view which Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne takes of the verbal communication made by Commander Malcolm, of her Britannic Majesty’s ship Barracouta, to Mr. Whiting, the United States consul at Nassau, I now have the pleasure to inform your lordship that instructions have been given to Rear-Admiral Wilkes to render, on all occasions of intercourse with naval officers of Great Britain, the courtesies due from naval officers of one nation to those of a friendly power. If similar suggestions shall be given to the officers of her Majesty’s service in the gulf, I trust that the irritations which have recently existed there, so much to the regret of both governments, will come to an end.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, your obedient servant,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.