HOWARD, United States Consul to Tilley, December 22, 1863

Mr. Howard to Mr. Tilley.

Sir: I have the honor to address, through you, a communication to the lieutenant governor of the province, for the purpose of requesting that his excellency will be pleased to use the authority vested in him by the act of Parliament for giving effect to what is known as the Ashburton treaty, to the end that certain offenders may be apprehended and delivered up to justice.

You will please make known to his excellency that as an officer of the government of the United States, I am authorized by the executive department of that government to make a requisition upon him as the officer administering the government of the province, in order that certain persons believed to be guilty of the crime of piracy may be brought before the proper officers of justice, so that the evidence of their guilt or innocence may be heard and considered.

I have therefore the honor to request that, in accordance with the provisions of the said act of Parliament, his excellency will by warrant signify that a requisition has been made for the apprehension of John C. Braine, H. C. Brookes, David Collins, John Parker Locke, Robert Clifford, Linus Seeley, George Robinson, Gilbert Cox, Robert Cox, H. H. Parr, and James McKinney, and require that all justices of the peace and other magistrates within the jurisdiction of this province shall and in apprehending the above-named persons accused of the crime of piracy, for the purpose of having them brought to trial.

I am, &c.