Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
My Lord: This department has information that a vessel-of-war, of a friendly power, recently took on board at New York for exportation a large amount of treasure, which fact was not known to the authorities until some time after her departure. The proceeding was not contrary to any law of the United States, or perhaps, strictly speaking, to any rule of comity regulating the intercourse of friendly powers. Inasmuch, however, as it is desirable always to receive with cordial hospitality such vessels-of-war of friendly powers as .may visit the ports of the United States, it is expected that they will not take advantage of their immunities to do anything which may tend to disturb the usual course of trade, or to impart uncertainty to those statistics upon that subject in which all commercial nations are interested.
It is manifest that the act adverted to was of that character. It is consequently desirable that, hereafter, when any foreign vessel-of-war shall leave, or shall propose to depart from, a port of the United States, her commander shall report, through the consul of the country to which the vessel belongs, to the collector of the port, confidentially or otherwise, the amount of specie proposed to be exported exceeding that which may have been on board the vessel on her arrival.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, my lord, your obedient servant,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.
[Same sent to ministers of France, Russia, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, and Prussia.]