Lord Lyons to Mr.
Seward.
Washington,
April 17, 1863.
Sir: I beg to call your attention to the
statement in the enclosed copy of a despatch from her Majesty’s consul
at New York, that the Granite City, of London, a British steamship, has,
while waiting the action of the prize court, been taken, by orders from
Washington, for the service of the United States government.
I shall be much obliged if you will inform me, at your earliest
convenience, whether the fact is as it has been represented by her
Majesty’s consul.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most
obedient, humble servant,
Hon. W. H. Seward, &c., &c.
[Untitled]
British Consulate, New York,
April 14, 1863.
My Lord: I have the honor to report to your
lordship the arrival at this port of the steamship Granite City, of
London, in charge of a prize crew from the United States ship-of-war
Tioga. The Granite City, according to the report of the master,
cleared from Nassau, N. P., on the 21st ultimo, for St. John’s, New
Brunswick, with a cargo, consisting of coffee, salt, copperas, and
dry goods. At daybreak on the following morning, when about 60 miles
to the westward of the island of Elenthera, the Granite City was
fallen in with by the Tioga, and having been brought to, by a shell
fired from the latter vessel, was boarded; the greater part of her
crew were removed to the Tioga, and a prize crew put on board the
Granite City, which was then despatched to this port, where she
arrived on the 29th ultimo.
[Page 570]
While waiting the action of the prize court, the Granite City has
been taken, by orders from Washington, for the service of the United
States government.
I have, &c.,
