Right Hon. Lord Lyons to William H. Seward, March 5, 1864

Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.

Sir: In a note which I had the honor to address to you on the 23d of January last, I enclose a copy of a despatch from her Majesty’s consul at New York, reporting, among other things, the arrival at that place of prisoners, said to be principally foreigners, a considerable number of whom had been taken on board a steam vessel called the Antonica. I, at the same time, observed that the information which had reached me concerning these individual prisoners was as yet so incomplete, that if the consul’s despatch had related to them only, I should not so soon have called your attention to it.

I have now the honor to transmit to you extracts from further despatches from the same consul, and copies of papers enclosed in them, from which it appears that the Antonica was a vessel belonging to the so-called confederates, but that a large number of the crew are British subjects.

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

I have the honor to transmit, herewith enclosed, for your lordship’s information, a copy of a letter, dated the 20th, but received by me on the 26th ultimo, from James Barrett, one of the crew of the late steamer Antonica, complaining of the taking from him, and from another seaman of the above-mentioned vessel, named Thomas Jones, both British subjects, the respective sum3 of eighty-five and thirty-five dollars, being their own private property.

I transmit, likewise, a copy of a letter from Marshal Murray, to whom I applied for information, acquainting me that the money in question has been delivered into the custody of the prize court at Washington.

In my despatch of the 3d ultimo I informed your lordship that the Antonica was a Confederate States vessel belonging to Charleston, South Carolina, and commanded by an American citizen, but that the crew was composed principally of British subjects.

Referring to my despatch of this date, I have the honor to report to your lordship that, of the crew of the steamer Antonica, who are now confined in the county jail, there are, in all, twenty-six British subjects, whose names will be found in a list herewith enclosed. The Antonica was wrecked on the Frying-pan shoals, on the 20th of December last, when the crew took to the boats and were picked up at sea by a United States gunboat. They have now been confined in the county jail since about the middle of January last.

These men complain of being constantly pestered by men to enlist in the naval or military service of the United States, and report that they are informed that this is the only way in which they will be able to obtain their liberty. I will communicate with the marshal on this subject, and report if any further action is necessary.

List of British subjects forming part of the crew of the late steamship Antonica.