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,
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
[Page 387]
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.
