Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
Department of State, Washington,
February 17, 1864.
My Lord: With reference to your note of the
20th ultimo, in which, under the instructions of her Majesty’s
government, you ask for information as to the grounds of the seizure at
New York, in the autumn of last year, of the schooner Etta, and as to
the steps taken by this government to establish its legality against the
British owners who claim the vessel, I have the honor to enclose
herewith the copy of a communication of the 12th instant, addressed to
this department by the Secretary of the Treasury, to whom the matter was
referred.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, your lordship’s obedient
servant.
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Chase to Mr. Seward.
Treasury
Department,
February 12, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
a copy of a letter from the assistant collector of New York,
received in response to your letter of inquiry of the 30th ultimo,
concerning the seizure of the British schooner Etta, alleged to have
been made at New York in the autumn of last year.
I am, respectfully,
S. P. CHASE, Secretary of the
Treasury,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c.,
&c.
Assistant Collector Clinch to
Mr. Chase.
Custom-House, New York,
Collector’s
Office,
February 6,
1864.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of the 2d instant, transmitting copy of a letter
from the Secretary of State, enclosing copy of a communication
from Lord Lyons relative to the alleged seizure of the British
schooner Etta by the authorities of this port during last
autumn, and requesting a report of the facts in the
premises.
[Page 523]
I do not find that vessel recorded on the books of this office as
having been seized, and have made inquiry of the United States
marshal, who has no knowledge of such seizure.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. P. CLINCH, Assistant
Collector.
Hon. S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury.
