William Stuart to William H. Seward, October 29, 1862

Mr. Stuart to Mr. Seward.

My Dear Sir: Referring to our conversation of this morning, I beg to state, in order to prevent misapprehension, that the principle which my government expects that you will admit is, that all mail bags, clearly certified to be such, shall be exempt from seizure and visitation, and that some arrangement shall be made for immediately forwarding such bags to their destination in the event of the ship which carries them being detained.

If this principle is admitted, the necessity for discussing the claim, as a matter of strict right, that her Majesty’s mails on board a private vessel should be exempted from visitation or detention might be avoided.

I therefore hope that you will allow me to inform Lord Russell that there will be no difference of opinion between the two governments upon the point in question.

I am, with great truth and esteem, my dear sir, your faithful servant,