Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
Department of State, Washington, February 18, 1863.
My Lord: Referring to your communication of the
28th ultimo, relative to the capture of the Elias Reed, and to my reply,
I now have the honor to enclose to you the copy of a letter of the 14th
instant addressed, to this department by the Secretary of the Navy on
the subject.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your lordship the
assurance of my high consideration.
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
Navy
Department,
February 14, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, enclosing a copy of a
note addressed to you by Lord Lyons, accompanied by an affidavit, in
reference to the seizure of the schooner Elias Reed.
The Elias Reed having been sent into court for adjudication, the
question of her seizure, as alleged, in British waters, will
doubtless come up and receive all due attention. I do not see that
this department can take action in the matter. In the report of the
seizure of the schooner it was not admitted that she was in the
waters or the territorial jurisdiction of her Majesty; but, on the
other hand, her capture is stated to have been about four miles from
the adjacent keys. Under the circumstances it seems proper that
Commander Collins, who made the seizure, should be called on for a
supplementary report, and I have accordingly written to him for
such, furnishing him with a copy of the affidavit communicated with
Lord Lyons’s note.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the
Navy.
Hon. Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State.
