Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
My Lord: I have had the honor to receive your note of yesterday, and the others to which it refers, on the subject of an order of General Washburn’s [Page 660] requiring military service from aliens at Memphis, upon pain of being arrested and punished.
In reply, I have the honor to inform you that I have called the attention of the Secretary of War to the subject, who will direct a modification of the order so far as to exempt aliens from arrest and punishment. In view, however, of the important military position of Memphis and the grave reasons for distrusting the neutrality of foreigners there, they will be required to leave that place and the military district under the command of General Washburne, and will not be allowed to return until further orders.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, my lord, your obedient servant,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.