Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
Washington, October 19, 1861.
My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 11th instant, accompanied by a copy of a memorial addressed to her Majesty’s principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, by Mr. William Gray, owner of the British ship Perthshire, alleged to have been interfered with by United States ships-of-war.
A copy of those papers has been transmitted to the Secretary of the Navy with a view to a proper investigation of the matter. When the reply of that officer shall have been received, I shall lose no time in communicating to your lordship the result of the investigation.
Accept, my lord, the assurance of my high consideration.
The Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.