Right Hon. Lord Lyons to William H. Seward, February 4, 1864

Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.

Sir: I hastened to communicate to her Majesty’s government the note dated the 21st instant, (28th November last,) in which you did me the honor to inform me that you had learned from the United States consul general at Havana that more than one thousand recently imported African negroes had been brought to that city.

Her Majesty’s government had already received intelligence of a steam vessel having left the African coast with a cargo of upwards of 1,100 slaves on board, and also of these slaves having been landed in Cuba. They have since been informed by her Majesty’s consul general at Havana that eleven hundred and five of the newly imported slaves have been seized by the captain general of Cuba.

Her Majesty’s government are not at present acquainted with the particulars relative to the vessel from which the slaves were landed, but they will take measures to discover, if possible, the name of the vessel and the parties implicated in her proceedings, and they will be very much obliged if the government of the United States will communicate to them any information on the subject which the United States authorities may be able to furnish.

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