Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Her Majesty’s government have been informed that a large quantity of coal, belonging to Messrs. William Anderson, Saxon & Co., British merchants, [Page 549] Was carried off from Augra Pequina by the United States ship Vanderbilt, when that ship visited the place in the month of October last, and seized there the British vessel Saxon.
Her Majesty’s government have directed me to state to you that they cannot doubt that the government of the United States will immediately make to the owners of this coal full compensation for the value thereof, as well as for any loss they may have sustained by the unlawful act of the commander of the Vanderbilt in appropriating it for the use of that vessel.
Her Majesty’s government have been unable to find in the reports which have reached them any justification of this violent act, or any excuse for it, and they have accordingly commanded me to address to you, in their name, a direct remonstrance against it.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.