Richard Lyons, 1st Viscount Lyons to Major General Doyle, December 21, 1863
Lord Lyons to Major General Doyle.
I transmit to you copies of a note from Mr. Seward, and the answer from me. When I delivered this answer to him, Mr. Seward told me he should immediately telegraph his note in extenso, and my answer, to the United States consul at Halifax; and ne read to me a telegram, which he said he should despatch at the same time, directing the consul to communicate the notes to you, and then to dispose of the Chespeake and the men taken on board, as you should direct.
On the following day I received your excellency’s telegram of the 18th instant. I immediately went to Mr. Seward, and after pointing out the material difference between the actual facts as stated by you, and the reports which he had received when he wrote his note, I said that I should consider whether it would not be necessary that I should address to him without delay an official written remonstrance against the proceedings of the United States officers. Mr. Seward observed to me that he had already declared in his note that this government had not authorized, and would not authorize, any exercise whatever of authority by its agents within the waters or on the soil of Nova Scotia. And that he had added, that if any such authority should have been assumed this government would at once express its profound regret, and make amends which should be entirely satisfactory. This having been done, he thought it would be better that any farther written communications should be postponed until we had full information of what had occurred, or, at all events, until we knew what view your excellency would take of the note. I answered that I would beg him to consider whether the new facts which your excellency’s telegram disclosed did not render it advisable that he should send further instructions to the United States officer at Halifax.
On reflection I came to the conclusion that it would be better to wait until I was made more fully acquainted with your excellency’s views and wishes before I took any further steps. And thus the matter stands at the present moment.