Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
My Lord: Referring to your communication of the 1st instant, touching the proceedings of the United States consul at Bahia, and of the commander of the United States ship Mohican, with regard to a British merchant vessel named the Castor, I have the honor to inform you that no time has been lost by me in communicating to Mr. Wilson, the consul of the United States at Bahia, a copy of Consul Morgan’s despatch to Earl Russell, and of the protest of Thomas Stevenson, which accompanied your note. Mr. Wilson has also been directed to transmit to this department, without delay, an account of his proceedings in the case, and he has, at the same time, been enjoined to practice caution in all his proceedings in future. Your communication, moreover, has been submitted to the consideration of the Secretary of the Navy, with a view to an inquiry concerning the conduct of the commander of the Mohican; and I beg leave to assure your lordship that the laws of neutral ports will be respected by the officers of this government.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, your lordship’s obedient servant,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons.