Office of the Historian

Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.

Washington, February 9, 1864.

Sir: Information of the capture of the British vessel Saxon by the United States ship Vanderbilt at Angra Pequena, on the coast of Africa, has reached her Majesty’s government from the Cape of Good Hope, and her Majesty’s government have instructed me to call the attention of the government of the United States to the apparently extraordinary circumstance of the capture, at so great a distance from American waters, of a British colonial vessel which was certainly, her Majesty’s government conceive, not exposed to the suspicion of contemplating any breach of blockade, or, so far as appears, of carrying contraband of war to the enemies of the United States.

Her Majesty’s government have, moreover, commanded me to request the government of the United States either to direct the immediate release of the [Page 515] Saxon, with proper compensation to the owners, or at least to explain the grounds on which her seizure and detention are supposed to be justified.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

LYONS.

Hon. William H. Seward.