Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday, with the accompanying bill of lading of certain coal shipped at Cape Town for Angra Pequena, and at the latter place taken for the use of the United States ship Vanderbilt. In the opinion of this government, the bill of lading referred to does not sufficiently show that at the time the coal was taken [Page 617] it was in point of fact the property of William Anderson, Saxon & Co. Perhaps, however, the further particulars which you say they have sent to agents in New York will make the case more clear. It is especially desirable to know for what purpose and at whose instance the coals were shipped from Cape Town to Angra Pequena. If the papers in the hands of the agents of the claimants in New York will explain these and other circumstances they would be acceptable.
I have the honor to be, my lord, your very obedient servant,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.