Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
My Lord: I have the honor to inform you that, by a note which has just been received from the Secretary of the Navy, I learn that he has no special information concerning the transactions affecting the claim of Messrs Galbraith & Co., of London and Glasgow, for compensation of losses which they allege that they have incurred by reason of the capture of the Peterhoff, and the subsequent complaint of Mr. Redgate and Mr. Ellsworth, beyond the general report which has been made to him of the seizure. As the affair now stands, the claim seems to me to be an incident to that seizure, and chiefly if not wholly involved in the judicial investigation concerning it now going on in the prize court at New York. Should it appear that the claim, when duly submitted to that court, is capriciously or unjustly disregarded or disallowed, because, although just in itself, it yet should not be found within the competency of the court to grant any redress to which the claimants might be entitled, it would then unquestionably present a case for examination by the executive department of the government. I respectfully submit to your lordship’s consideration the question, whether any reference of the claimants to the court is proper or necessary on the part of her Majesty’s government.
I embrace this occasion to offer to your lordship a renewed assurance of my high consideration.
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.