Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Her Majesty’s government have had under their consideration the note which I had the honor to address to you on the 5th March, respecting the case of the Sylvanus, and the answers which you were so good as to make to that note on the 8th and 19th of the same month.
With regard to the destruction of the Sylvanus, I have to state to you that, although her Majesty’s government have not as yet received from the government of the United States any explanation of the circumstances under which it took place, they cannot refrain from expressing at once the opinion that if the vessel was fired upon and sunk in the first instance without being properly summoned to lie to, and without any special and extraordinary necessity, the act was illegal and would warrant, per se, a very grave remonstrance.
With respect to the treatment and imprisonment of the crew of the Sylvanus, it is my duty to inform you that, although her Majesty’s government have learned with satisfaction that these men have been at length set at liberty, they nevertheless consider that if, as unfortunately appears clearly to have been the case, the crew were on several occasions put in irons, and were moreover imprisoned for a period of nearly three months without being examined, a grave illegality has been committed; and with regard to this last wrongful act as detaining as prisoners British subjects taken from neutral vessels, the recurring frequency of it has rendered it necessary for her Majesty’s government to instruct me to address in their name to the government of the United States a very strong remonstrance, and to express their hope that they may not again have to complain of such violations of the plain rights of neutral subjects.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.