William H. Seward to William Stuart, August 18, 1862

Mr. Seward to Mr. Stuart.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 1st instant, in which, under the instructions of her Britannic Majesty’s government, a representation is made to me on the subject of clearances of vessels and cargoes from New York to the Bahamas.

No time was lost in submitting your note to the Secretary of the Treasury, who referred it to the collector of the customs at New York for explanation. I now have the honor to enclose to you a copy of that officer’s report on the subject, and to state that as his proceedings therein set forth appear to have been in strict conformity with the instructions of the Treasury Department, his conduct has accordingly been approved by that department.

I, however, give you the collector’s reply for the better information of your government as to the exigencies which have rendered the proceedings complained of necessary in a crisis of great public danger. The exclusive order is applied to the island of Nassau only, because there is no complaint of abuse of neutrality laws elsewhere, and not at all invidiously, or because it is a British possession. The restriction is a measure adopted for the public safety, endangered by insurrection, and not at all as in any sense a measure of trade, and I think it justified on the same grounds with the inhibition of certain exports referred to by the British government. So soon as the abuses which have rendered the order necessary shall have ceased it will be at once rescinded. I shall, however, cheerfully bestow a further consideration upon the subject if your government shall require.

I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your obedient servant,