Sir F. Bruce to Mr. Seward
Washington,
October 30, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose copy of a
letter addressed by her Majesty’s principal secretary of state for
foreign affairs to the admiralty and other departments of her Majesty’s
government, directing that all measures of a restrictive nature on
vessels-of-war of the United States in British ports, harbors, or waters
are now to be considered at an end; and apprising them that it is the
desire and intention of her Majesty’s government that the most
unrestricted hospitality and friendship should be shown to
vessels-of-war of the United States in all her Majesty’s ports, whether
at home or abroad.
I am at the same time instructed to assure you of the satisfaction which
her Majesty’s government have felt in issuing these orders to her
Majesty’s authorities.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most
obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
&c., &c., &c.
[Page 195]
Eurl Russell to the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty
Foreign Office,
October 13, 1865.
My Lords: With reference to my letter of
the 2d of June last, prescribing the course to be taken by her
Majesty’s several authorities in all ports, harbors, and waters
belonging to her Majesty, whether in the United Kingdom or beyond
the seas, in consequence of the recognition by her Majesty’s
government that peace was restored within the whole territory of
which the United States of North America before the commencement of
the civil war were in undisturbed possession; and with reference
more particularly to that passage in my letter, in which it was laid
down that confederate vessels departing, in pursuance of
requisitions to be made by her Majesty’s authorities, from any
ports, harbors, and waters belonging to her Majesty, in which at the
time of the receipt by those authorities of the fresh orders such
vessels might be found, should then, and for the last time, have the
full benefit of the prohibition theretofore enforced against pursuit
of them within twenty-four hours by a cruiser of the United States
lying at the time within any such ports, harbors, and waters, I have
the honor to state to your lordships that her Majesty’s government
are of opinion that it is desirable that her Majesty’s naval and
other authorities at home, and in her Majesty’s possessions abroad,
should be formally apprised that, as full time has now elapsed since
my letter of the 2d of June for giving effect to the provisions of
that letter, all measures of a restrictive nature on vessels-of-war
of the United States in British ports, harbors, or waters, are now
to be considered as at an end, and that it is the desire and
intention of her Majesty’s government that unrestricted hospitality
and friendship should be shown to vessels-of-war of the United
States in all her Majesty’s ports, whether at home or abroad.
I have addressed a similar letter to the secretaries of state for the
colonial, home, and India offices, and also to the lords
commissioners of her Majesty’s treasury.
I am, &c,
