Office of the Historian
No. 16.
[Extract.]

Lord Lyons to Earl Russell.

Washington, January 18, 1864.

I have the honor to transmit to your lordship herewith further papers relative to the affair of the Chesapeake.

Your lordship will perceive that I have communicated to Mr. Seward an extract from a despatch from Major General Doyle, and other papers, giving the reasons for sending the case of the Chesapeake before the vice-admiralty court, and recounting the endeavors made to arrest one of the men whose extradition has been demanded by this government.

I have informed Major General Doyle, in general terms, that Mr. Seward has addressed a note to me expressing regret and disapproval on the part of the President with regard to the proceedings of the United States naval officers in Nova Scotian waters.

Among the enclosures in the present despatch is a copy of a note from Mr. Seward demanding the extradition of the men concerned in the affair of the Chesapeake from Canada. I immediately communicated this demand by telegraph to Lord Monck, and I sent him by the first post a copy of the note.

[Enclosure 1 in No. 16.]

Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.

Washington, January 13, 1864.

[Published elsewhere in this volume.]

[Page 507]
[Enclosure 2 in No. 16.]

Major General Doyle to Lord Lyons.

[Telegraphic.]
Halifax, January 14, 1864.

The examination of witnesses for the crown against Doctors Almen and Smith, and Mr. Keith, accused of having assisted Wade to escape, occupied from 12 to 71/2 on the 11th instant, and the facts were brought out too clearly for misapprehension. The substance of Lieutenant Reyne’s report, which is in your possession, was proved in every particular.

1. The civilians on the Queen’s wharf, which is a very large one, were not in all forty, and are of respectable position.

2. Not a shadow of evidence of concert or premeditation to obstruct the arrest of Wade.

3. Only the three gentlemen above named at all implicated; the latter two in the slightest degree possible, and after a struggle between Dr. Almen and the constable had commenced.

4. No arrest made; the obstruction, Dr. Almen calling a boat proceeding in the stream, and interfering with constable’s pistol when presented against the boat. All three above named bound over to stand their trial at the first sitting of the supreme court; I waiting until recognizances were completed—which they were not till yesterday—to telegraph to you.

[Enclosure 3 in No. 16.]

Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.

Washington, January 16, 1864.

[Published elsewhere.]

[Enclosure 4in No. 16.]

Lord Lyons to Major General Doyle.

Washington, January 18, 1864.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s despatch of the 6th instant relative to the affair of the Chesapeake.

I have communicated to the Secretary of State of the United States an extract from that despatch comprising the whole of it, with the exception of the second paragraph, which relates only to the copies of despatches from your excellency to the Duke of Newcastle. I have also communicated to the Secretary of State of the United States a copy of a letter from the mayor of Halifax to the provincial secretary of the 30th of December, respecting the endeavors made to arrest Braine.

I have, &c.,

LYONS.
[Enclosure 5 in No. 16.]

Lord Lyons to Major General Doyle.

Washington, January 18, 1864.

Sir: With reference to my previous despatches respecting the affair of the Chesapeake, I have the honor to inform your excellency that I have received [Page 508] a note from the Secretary of State of the United States, expressing the President’s regret for and disapproval of the act of force exercised by the officers of the United States ship Ella and Annie in Nova Scotian waters.

I have, &c.,

LYONS.
[Enclosure 6 in No. 16.]

Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.

Department of State, Washington, January 13, 1864.

[Printed elsewhere.]

[Enclosure 7 in No. 16.]

Lord Lyons to Viscount Monck.

Washington, January 13, 1864.

My Lord: I have the honor to transmit to your excellency a copy of a note which I have just received from the Secretary of State of the United States, demanding the extradition, under the treaty, of certain persons therein named. I have, &c.,

LYONS.