Right Hon. Lord Lyons to W. H. Seward, January 26, 1863
Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Sir: On receiving from me a copy of the note which you did me the honor to address to me on the 12th instant, the governor general of British North America caused a circular, of which I have the honor to enclose a copy, to be addressed to the superintendents of Indians in the northwest portions of Canada, with a view of preventing the supply to the Indians of military stores to be used against the peaceful inhabitants of the United States.
The governor general observes that Fort Garry, the place especially indicated in the letter which accompanied your note, is not included in the territory over which his jurisdiction extends. I have, however, requested his excellency by telegraph to communicate your wishes to the authority to which Fort Garry is subject.
I have the honor, &c.,
Hon. W. H. Seward.
[Circular.]
Sir: His excellency, the governor general, has just received a communication from the British minister at Washington, informing him that a renewal of the atrocious and barbarous outrages recently committed by the Sioux Indians in Minnesota is apprehended by the government of the United States.
In contemplation of the possibility of such a deplorable event, it is the earnest desire of the Canadian government that every lawful means within their power should be adopted to prevent hostile Indians on either side of the frontier from being supplied with arms, ammunition, or military stores, to be used against the peaceful inhabitants of the United States, and I am therefore to request that you will exert yourself to the very utmost of your ability to carry out in this respect the wishes of the government.
Be good enough, also, to inform me, at your earliest convenience, whether any unusual quantity of arms or ammunition has found its way into the hands of Indians within the last few months, and, at same time, communicate to me whatever information you may possess or acquire respecting any arms or ammunition which may, within said period, have found their way, with a supposed hostile purpose to the inhabitants of any portion of the United States, into the hands of any of the Indian tribes.
I have, &c.,