Confidential
5th January 1867
My Lord,
I have the honor to forward Copy of letters which I have addressed to the Senior Naval Officer in reference to a verbal communication he made to me. My letter will explain the whole caseasManuscript image as far as it is known to me.
2. I think it most advisable to promote in every way the good feeling which has so long prevailed between the English and American garrisons on the Island of San Juan and which would seem to be disturbed at present.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
See 1938 B.C.
If Lord Carnarvon should decide on enquiring of the F.O. whether Lord Stanley wd think the present an opportune time for endeavoring to settle the San Juan question these papers might be sent to the F.O. in demonstration of the embarrassing points which are apt to arise, at any moment, between the British and United States Authorities on the Island.
ABd 26 Feb
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The San Juan affair has been an unfortunate one, and the protracted joint occupation of the Island must always be attended with hazard. On the other hand there has hardly been a moment for some years when the question could be mooted with any prospect of a conciliatory spirit on the part of the Americans. If the expected Commission on the claims arising out of the Civil War proves successful, it may possibly evoke a better spirit and a more favorable chance than at present of dealing satisfactorily with the San Juan question.
With reference to thelastManuscript image last letter from the Foreign Office dated the 6th July 1864 send them the present letter for consideration?—and (perhaps) add that the protracted joint occupation of San Juan must always be attended with inconvenience and risk of misunderstanding, but that Lord Stanley will have the best means of judging whether the present or a later time may afford the best prospect of arriving at some satisfactory agreement with the Govt of the United States on the manner of providing for the settlement of the claims of the two Countries?
TFE 27 Feby
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Seymour to Captain R.B. Oldfield, Senior Naval Officer, 3 January 1867, regarding a British marine who deserted to the United States some years previously, now serving in the American camp.
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Oldfield to Seymour, 4 January 1867, reporting his action on the subject.
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Oldfield to Seymour, 5 January 1867, enclosing correspondence relating to discussions between the commanders of the British and American camps.
Captain Bazalgette, British Commander, to Captain Grey, United States Commander, 29 December 1866, asking that a deserter, George Hughes, currently serving in the American camp, be turned over.
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Grey to Bazalgette, 26 December 1866, declining to hand over Hughes, with explanation.
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Seymour to Oldfield, 5 January 1867, suggesting he contact the senior American officer on the Pacific for settlement of the dispute.
Other documents included in the file
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Colonial Office to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 5 March 1867, forwarding correspondence on the San Juan issue and recommending that an early opportunity be taken for resolving the ownership question.