William H. Seward to Gideon Welles, June 19, 1865

Mr. Seward to Mr. Welles

Sir: I have the honor to transmit for your information a correspondence between Sir Frederick W. A. Bruce and this department upon the subject of the withdrawal of the pretended concession of belligerent rights to the insurgents. In view of this correspondence, I suggest, therefore, that you communicate to the naval officers of the United States the results following there from, namely: First, Great Britain withdraws her concession, heretofore made, of a belligerent character, from the insurgents. Secondly, that the withdrawal of the twenty-four-hours rule has not been made absolute by Great Britain, and that therefore the customary courtesies are not to be paid by our vessels to those of the British navy. Thirdly, the right of search of British vessels is terminated. (Of course this has no bearing upon the operations of the existing slave trade treaty.) Fourthly, any insurgent or piratical vessels found on the high seas may be lawfully captured by vessels of the United States.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,