Lord Lyons to Mr.
Seward.
Washington,
July 6, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to submit to you a copy
of a despatch which I have received from the acting British consul at
New Orleans, and a copy of the military order to which it refers.
You will perceive that the order in question establishes regulations
respecting gold at New Orleans, which interfere with the free control of
property of this description, and appear to cause inconvenience to
British merchants at that place.
I shall be much obliged if you will take the order into consideration,
and communicate to me the views of the United States government on the
subject.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most
obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
&c., &c., &c.
[Page 647]
Mr. Coppell to Lord Lyons.
British Consulate,
New Orleans,
June 23, 1864.
My Lord: I deem it proper to bring to your
lordship’s notice a military-order that has been promulgated in this
department respecting gold coin, as I have been consulted by British
merchants as to the consequence of a refusal to obey such an order,
they believing it to be in violation of the treaty by which they are
residents and carry on business here.
From the order, a copy of which I have the honor to enclose herewith,
it will be seen that all gold coin arriving at, or which has been
already imported to this port, is ordered to be deosited with the
assistant treasurer of the United States; the owner having no
control over his property.
To-day a British merchant, Mr. Archibald Montgomery, applied to the
treasurer for gold which had been taken to the treasury from the
steamship’s last arrival from New York, and which had been sent to
Mr. Montgomery in payment for merchandise he had shipped to that
port, but he was informed that he could not obtain his gold unless
it was to be exported to a loyal State or to a foreign country, or
for payment of duties. I have, of course, recommended obedience to
the order, and have informed those who have spoken to me on the
subject that I would refer the matter to your lordship.
I have, &c.,
Lord Lyons,
&c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
Headquarters Department of
the Gulf,
New Orleans,
June 18,
1864.
General Orders, No. 75. }
1. All shipments of gold to the port of New Orleans from this
date, unless otherwise specially authorized by the government at
Washington, will be deposited with the assistant treasurer of
the United States, to be delivered to consignees or claimants
only upon satisfactory assurances that it will not be used in
contravention of the regulations of the Treasury and War
Departments or the laws of the United States.
2. All parties to whom consignments of gold have heretofore been
made are directed to deposit the same with the assistant
treasurer of the United States, subject to the above
regulations. The provost marshal general is directed to enforce
a strict observance of this order.
By command of Major General Banks :
OLIVER MATHEWS, Assistant Adjutant
General.
