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

Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.

Washington, May 21, 1863.

Sir: With reference to your note of the 18th instant, and to our previous correspondence, respecting the rumors that endeavors were being made to fit out privateers at Vancouver’s island, I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a telegram which I have just received from the governor of that island.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

LYONS.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.

Copy of telegram from Governor Douglass, dated Victoria, 14th instant.

British Columbia, May, 1863.

Your communication of 2d of April, with enclosures, has just arrived, and I beg your lordship to assure the President of the United States that every vigilance will be used by this government to discover and frustrate all attempts by the enemies of the United States to fit out privateers in the ports of Vancouver’s island.

JAMES DOUGLASS.