Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Sir: The attention of her Majesty’s government has been drawn to the motion which was made in Congress during the recent session, with a view to putting an end to the arrangement between Great Britain and the United States limiting the naval force to be maintained upon the American lakes.
This arrangement has worked satisfactorily for nearly half a century. It has preserved both nations from a vast amount of inconvenience and expense, and, which is of infinitely more importance, it has warded off occasions of disagreement and quarrel. Her Majesty’s government would view the abrogation of it with great regret and no little alarm.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.