Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 7th instant, in which it is stated that her Majesty’s government have been informed that Rear-Admiral Wilkes has publicly threatened to capture a British mail packet, bound for a British port, on the sole ground of her carrying to that port officers or other passengers belonging to the so-called Confederate States, and to inform you that the attention of the Secretary of the Navy has been invited to the subject.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your lordship the assurance of my high consideration.
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.