Earl Russell to Lord Lyons.
I lost no time in referring to the law officers of the crown your lordship’s several despatches of the 11th, 15th, 21st, and 24th of December, respecting the case of the Chesapeake, together with the reports received from the colonial authorities up to the date from the colonies of 23d of December.
I shall now submit to the law officers your subsequent despatches on the same subject of the 29th, 31st ultimo, and 4th instant, and reports received from the colonies.
In the mean time, the only point to which I have more especially to call your lordship’s attention is the unqualified condemnation pronounced by the law officers of the wilful and flagrant violation of her Majesty’s territory committed by the officers of the United States naval service; a condemnation in which I cannot doubt the law officers of the United States government, on being consulted by Mr. Seward, will fully concur. But I am happily relieved from the necessity of dwelling on this part of the case by the frank and cordial assurances at once given to you by Mr. Seward of the readiness and desire of the government of the United States to make all proper and suitable reparation for the acts of their officers.