Monck to Sir F. Bruce, G. C. B, July 23, 1866

Sir: Referring to your despatch of the 14th instant, and enclosure, I have the honor to transmit for communication to the Secretary of State of the United States a copy of a report from Lieutenant Heron, royal navy, commanding the Canadian gunboat Michigan, respecting the circumstances under which the arrest of John Chapell on United States territory took place.

I think it is plain from this report that there was no intention on the part of this officer to infringe the territorial rights of the United States; indeed he asserts that the party by whom the man was arrested were beyond his control at the time the arrest took place.

I regret very much that even under such circumstances any act should have been committed by persons in her Majesty’s service, of which the government of the United States has a just right to complain; and if John Chapell were still on board the Michigan, or within my control, I should feel it my duty to order that he should be immediately replaced within the bounds of the United States territory.

I have caused a letter to be written to Lieutenant Heron, pointing out to him that, as soon as he found that the crew of the boat sent in pursuit of John Chapell had exceeded their duty by pursuing and arresting him on United States territory, he should, without waiting for remonstrance from the authorities of the United States, have immediately ordered the liberation of the prisoner so illegally arrested, and I have desired the officer to be admonished to be very careful in future not to infringe the territorial rights of the United States.

As it appears that John Chapell has since a second time deserted, and is now supposed to be at Detroit, I trust the Secretary of State will accept my expression of regret at the affair as a sufficient reparation, and will be satisfied, from what I have stated, that I will use every exertion to prevent a repetition of the occurrence.

I have, &c., &c.,