ELY, United States Consul to William H. Seward, October 5, 1864

Mr. Ely to Mr. Seward

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on the 30th day of September, A. D. 1864, the commandant of the French forces in Acapulco ordered the vice-consul of the French to seize the United States mail bag and to break the seal and take charge of the contents.

The bag was taken while in transit from American steamer Golden City to my office. Had the commandant required the mail matter, after I had opened the bag and found a public mail therein, I should have given it to him without protest, notwithstanding I am acting under an arrangement between the French consul and our consul at Panama, which was that I should open all mails coming into Acapulco and distribute and forward to address, which arrangement has not been disturbed until this sudden seizure of our mail bag and the seal violated. Hence I deemed it my duty to protest against the proceedings.

No plea of contraband matter or anything improper passing through the mails was set up, but an assumed arbitrary power was exercised in demolishing the sacredness of a government seal for civil purposes.

I have the honor to be, sir, your very obedient servant,