Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
Department of State,
Washington,
October 28, 1863.
My Lord: The Secretary of the Treasury, to whom
was referred a copy of your communication of the 19th instant in regard
to the detention of the steamer Josie at New York, has replied by a
letter of yesterday, which is accompanied
[Page 706]
by a copy of a report of the collector of customs
at that port. I have the honor to enclose a copy of these papers to your
lordship, and to be, with high consideration, my lord, your obedient
servant,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons,
&c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
Treasury
Department,
October 27, 1863.
Sir: I have received yours of the 20th
instant, covering copy of despatch of Lord Lyons of the 19th,
relative to the detention of the steamer Josie by the custom-house
authorities at New York.
This despatch was sent by me on, the 21st to the collector at New
York for a report on the case, a copy of which I enclose.
With great respect,
S. P. CHASE, Secretary of the
Treasury.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
[Untitled]
Custom-House, New York,
Collector’s Office,
October 24, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 21st, enclosing a letter from the
Secretary of State and despatch from Lord Lyons, and other papers,
in regard to the detention by me of the steamer Josie, with the
request that I would report thereon.
This vessel was first detained for inquiry and subsequently seized
for forfeiture by me upon the ground that she was proceeding on a
voyage with the ultimate intent of entering one of the ports of the
insurgent States. After taking a sufficient time to examine into the
facts of the case, the information furnished to this office was
deemed sufficient to authorize her seizure, and thereupon I
transmitted the facts to the United States district attorney for
this district with the request that he would institute proceedings
for the forfeiture of the vessel and cargo under and in pursuance of
sections 6 and 7 of the act of July 13, 1861, and section 1 of the
act of August 16, 1861, and sections 6 and 7 of the act of January
17, 1862.
I return herewith the correspondence upon this subject forwarded to
me by you.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. S. P. Chase,
Secretary of the Treasury.
