Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Sir: With reference to the despatch from Earl Russell to me, dated the 23d day of January, 1862, of which I had the honor to place a copy in your hands on the 13th of the following month, her Majesty’s government, being desirous to prevent the occurrence of any matter of painful discussion with the government of the United States, have directed me to enter frankly into communication with you on a subject which causes them to feel some anxiety. They have been informed that Rear-Admiral Wilkes has publicly threatened to capture a British mail packet, bound for a British port, on the sole ground of her carrying to that port officers, or other passengers, belonging to the so-called Confederate States.
Her Majesty’s government hope to receive an assurance from the government of the United States that the rear-admiral will be instructed not to treat any British mail packet, bound to a neutral port, in the ordinary course of her engagements, as liable to capture or detention, upon the sole ground that, among the persons she has on board, proceeding, as ordinary passengers, to her proper neutral destination, there may be some, whether officers or civilians, who may belong to the so-called Confederate States.
I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, &c.,
Hon. Wm. H. Seward, &c.