Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part II

Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.

Department of State, Washington, July 10, 1863,

My Lord: In response to your note of the 3d instant, enclosing a protestmade by Mr. E. J. Locke, master of the brig Isabella Thompson, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, against the capture of that vessel by the United States ship-of-war United States, I have the honor to enclose to you the copy of a letter of yesterday, addressed to this department by the Secretary of the Navy.

I have the honor to be your very obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

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

Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward.

Navy Department, July 9, 1863.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, inviting my attention to a copy of a communication from Lord Lyons, accompanied by a copy of a protest made by E. J. Locke, master of the English brig Isabella Thompson, relative to the capture of that vessel by the United States steamer United States on the 19th ultimo.

The Isabella Thompson has doubtless ere this passed into the hands of the prize court at New York, to which she was sent for adjudication, and the parties interested must abide the decision of that court; which tribunal will, without doubt, give a just decision upon the seizure, and award ample damages, should the seizure have been illegal and wanton.

Very respectfully, &c.,

GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.