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, October 16, 1863.

My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday, asking whether, in the event that the decree of the inferior court, in the case of the Springbok, should be reversed on appeal, the court will give the vessel back, or pay to the owners its value.

In reply, I have the honor to acquaint you that, in the event of a reversal of the judgment of the inferior court, the Supreme Court may be expected to decree a restitution of the vessel, or indemnity, according to the circumstances of the case. What the decree will be cannot now be foreseen by the executive department.

I have the honor to be, my lord, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

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