Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
Department of State, Washington,
April 5, 1864.
My Lord: Recurring to your note of the 21st
ultimo, respecting the case of the Margaret and Jessie, and to my reply,
I have now the honor to communicate to your lordship a copy of a letter
of the 2d instant from the Secretary of the Navy, informing me that a
court of inquiry has been ordered to convene at Boston on the 7th
instant for the purpose of investigating the circumstances
[Page 576]
connected with the alleged
violation of British territorial jurisdiction in the case of the steamer
above named.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, my lord, your obedient
servant,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward.
Navy Department, Washington,
April 2, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to state for your
information that the United States steamer Rhode Island, under the
command of Commander Stephen D. Trenchard, having recently arrived
at Boston, the department has ordered a court of inquiry to convene
at the navy yard in that city on Thursday next, the 7th instant, for
the purpose of a thorough investigation of the circumstances
connected with the alleged violation of British territorial
jurisdiction in the case of the steamer Margaret and Jessie.
In conformity with the suggestion made in your letter of the 28th
ultimo, the evidence in the case submitted on the part of the
British government will be transmitted to the court for its guidance
in the investigation; but it is proper to state, in this connexion,
that the court, in its findings, must be governed by evidence of a
legal character, and the party whose conduct is the subject of
inquiry has the right to cross-examine witnesses.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the
Navy.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
