Dudley to Samuel Price Edwards, Collector of Customs, Liverpool, July 7, 1863

Mr. Dudley to Mr. Edwards.

I, the undersigned, Thomas Haines Dudley, consul of the United States of America for the port of Liverpool and its dependencies, do hereby apply to you, on behalf of the government of the United States of America, to seize and detain an iron-clad steam vessel-of-war, launched from the yard of Messrs. Laird & Co., at Birkenhead, on the 4th day of July instant, and now lying at Birkenhead aforesaid, with her tackle, apparel, and furniture, with all the materials, arms, ammunition, and stores which may belong to or be on board of the said vessel, pursuant to the power given you in that behalf by the 7th section of the act of Parliament, (59 George III, c. 69,) on the ground that said vessel is being equipped, furnished, fitted out, and armed, in order that such vessel shall be employed in the service of the persons assuming to exercise the power of government, and called the Confederate States of America, and with the intent to cruise and commit hostilities against the government and citizens of the United States of America, with which government her Majesty the Queen is not now at war.