Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part I

Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.

Department of State, Washington, April 23, 1863.

My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday, in which compensation is asked for the capture, by the United States ship Onward, of the British vessel Magicienne, on her voyage from Liverpool to Matamoras, and in which, with reference to that case, a representation is made touching the alleged habit of the United States cruisers seizing vessels on the chance that something may possibly be discovered ex post facto which will prevent the captors from being condemned to pay damages, and to inform you that the attention of the Secretary of the Navy has been invited to it.

I have the honor to be your very obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.