The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-10-29

ufpr.oxaTfc CosaEspuNDENCE he
TWEEN SECRETARY SEWARD AND
LORD LYONS


The following correspondence between
Lord Lyons. renresening the Governmeat
Of Her Britannia Majesty near this Govern.
nent Of the United States. and MIR. Secretary
seward. representing LincoIn's Kingdom,
touohing the military arrests of two British
subjects on the ground of their alleged com
yiicitv IN the existing rebellion of the Sou I'll =
err states against the Constitution and au-
.herity of the Federal Government, as an
Instiy admin istered by Abe Lincoln, cannot
cail to be read with interest:
L9ri LYoas to Hr. SceaTG.
WAsAIxoTox, Get. Il. Ie6t.
<i~: Her dalestys Government were much
concerned to find that two British subjects,
Mr Patrick and Mr.. Lahlning, had been
subjected 10 arbitrary arrest; and although
they had learnt from Geographic dlspatch
from me that Air. Patrick had been released,
they eUald not bus regard the matter dc one
requiring tAeir very serious constellation;
Her Ma)es'ys Government perceive that
when Brtlish subJ lts, as We'll as American
citizens, are arrested, they are immediately
tTansi ierred 10 a ni-itary prison, aud tina the
military authoutIes ss.'ise 10 pay obedience
| 20 8 wrIi ~ rs5sgs corpaE.
tAiS practice is directly opposed TO the maxim
Jf The Constitution Of the United States, 'that
no person shall be deprived OF life. liberty, or
-,rope~tY without due process OF law
Hpr Maiestv's Government are willing,
however TO make every allowance tor the
aard necessities Of a time Of Internal trouble;
and they wonld not have been surprised if
| The ordinary securities OF personal liberty had
been temporarily suspended, nor Wouia they
nave cnn.ulainCd il British subjects falling
| ,ud.r sus}lcton had suffered from the coase-
| queuces of that suspension,
| But II does not appetr mat Congress has
sanctioned in this res pCct aaJ departure from
| The due course Cf Law, and 1t IS in these cir
| UInstauces tina. the Law ofic5rs OF the
| l.royen have advised her Malesty' Govern
| ,nent that the arbitrary arrests of British
! subjects &re illegal.
| ~, far as appears 10 her Majesty Govern
| nsut. the Secretary of State Of the United
| states exercises, upon the reports OF spies
| aud informers, the power OF deprivIng Rrlt-
| n subjects Of their liberty, oI retaining thell
! N prison. or IIberatIng them, by his oWn Will
! ana pleasure.
| Her Mai.Sfy'. Government cannot but r.
| mi this lIrsj,olic and arbitrary power as in
! consistent with the Constitution 1.-the United
.s.+ss as ut variance with the tire ttirs {!
f1ni!r subslstiHg between the two nations
an. ;ls tending 10 pre event the resort OF Bllt-
| ish subjects " the United states Ior purposes
! of trade and industry
| Her AluIestr' = GoyerHIG ent have therefore
| fait hound 10 instruct me to remonsira te
| against such irregular proceedings, and 1
! ~ that in their opinion. the thoTity o
Congress IS necessary Ia order TO justify tht
arbitrary arrest dAd imprisonment OF British
/ subjects.
| have the honor TO be, sir, with the highest
! consideration, oar most Obedieut hum bic ser
| want, LYONS.
| 10 the Hon. William II. Seward, &c.
]