William H. Seward to To the Right Honorable Lord Lyons, October 4, 1861

Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.

My Lord: I regret to inform you that information has reached this department that foreign vessels-of-war, which have entered ports of States in insurrection against the government of the United States, under blockade, have, in some instances, carried passengers, and in others private correspondence. It is presumed that such proceedings could not have taken place with the knowledge or approval of the governments of foreign countries.

With a view, however, to prevent any misunderstanding in future, it is distinctly to be understood that no foreign vessel-of-war, which may enter or depart from a blockaded port of the United States, will carry any person as a passenger, or any correspondence other than that between the government of the country to which the vessel may belong and the diplomatic and consular agents of such country at the ports adverted to.

I avail myself of this occasion to offer to your lordship a renewed assurance of my high consideration.