Right Hon. Lord Lyons to William H. Seward, December 22, 1863

Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward..

Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter addressed to her Majesty’s consul at New York, by Messrs. E. Pavenstedt & Co., the agents at that place of Messrs. Dent, Palmer & Co., of London. In compliance with the request contained in it, I submit to you also copies of the following papers:

1. Protest of United States vice-consul at Amoy, August 13, 1863.

2. Letter from United States vice-consul at Amoy to Mr. Thomas H. Chapman, agent at that place of Messrs. Dent & Co., August 13, 1863.

3. Letter from Messrs. Dent & Co. to the United States consul at Hong Kong, August 24, 1863.

4. Extract from charter-party between the master of the British bark Julia and Mr. Thomas H. Chapman, August 15, 1863.

These papers appear to show conclusively that the voyage of the Julia is perfectly legitimate; but as the United States vice-consul at Amoy took exception to a condition in the charter-party, Messrs. Pavenstedt & Co. are anxious that all the particulars should be made known to the United States authorities here.

The Julia is expected to arrive very soon at New York, and I therefore take the liberty of asking you to recommend the papers to the immediate attention of the proper authorities.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,