Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Her Majesty’s government has learned with great surprise and regret that a large sum of money was put on board one of her Majesty’s ships off Mobile by Mr. Magee, the acting British consul, and, in compliance with a requisition made by him, conveyed in that ship to Havana, and put on shore there. It appears that the money in question was placed in Mr. Magee’s hands by agents of the State of Alabama, and was destined to pay interest, due to British subjects, and payable in London, off bonds of that State. But this circumstance has not affected the view taken by her Majesty’s government of the transaction. They consider the conduct of Mr. Magee to have been entirely at variance with the duties of an agent of a neutral power, and they have [Page 517] directed me to inform you that, on becoming acquainted with his proceedings, they have, without any delay, sent orders to me to dismiss him from their service.
Her Majesty’s government have instructed me to say, further, that they greatly regret that any person in their employment should have been guilty of such conduct as that which has led to the immediate dismissal of Mr. Magee.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.