of the Navy to William H. Seward, January 19, 1864

Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th instant, enclosing a copy of a note addressed to you by Lord Lyons, in which, under the instructions of her Britannic Majesty’s government, he asks to be informed of the grounds upon which the British brigs Volante, of Jersey, and Dashing Wave, of Liverpool, have been captured by United States cruisers at Matamoras.

In reply, I have to state that the brigs at the time of their capture were in American waters, and, haying contraband cargoes, they were sent in for adjudication. The merchandise of which their cargoes consisted was not believed by the officers of the United States. navy who made the seizure to be either legitimate or neutral. The judgment of the court will be conclusive.

Very respectfully, &c.,