Lyons to Consul Molyneux, March 14, 1862

Lord Lyons to Consul Molyneux.

Sir: I have received your despatch of the 27th ultimo, and have learned from it with great regret that her Majesty’s subjects residing in the State of Georgia are in danger of being pressed into the military service of that State, or of the so-called confederate government.

The view of her Majesty’s government respecting the compulsory enlistment of British subjects in military bodies to be employed in the existing civil war were communicated to you in my despatch of the 12th November last. In conformity with those views, I have to instruct you to use your utmost endeavors to prevent bona fide British subjects being pressed into the military service. I authorize you to remonstrate, in case of need, not only with the authorities of the State of Georgia, but with the de facto government at Richmond. At the same time, I am well aware that the lives and property of British subjects might be brought into serious and immediate danger in a time of excitement by any imprudent proceedings on your part; I therefore leave it to your discretion to decide upon the particular measures to be taken with a view to obtain the exemption of our fellow-subjects from compulsory enlistment.

I must beg you to bear in mind that it is the desire of her Majesty’s government that no mention of her Majesty’s legation at Washington be made in communications with the de facto authorities, whether of the incliyidual States or of the general government of the so-called Confederate States. You will in all such communications, whether they be verbal or written, carefully avoid mentioning any allusion to me or this legation.

I forwarded to Earl Russell a copy of your despatch of the 27th ultimo, and I shall also send his lordship a copy of this answer to it.

I am, &c.,