Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of your lordship’s note of the 29th instant, which represents, upon the authority of Admiral Milne, of her Britannic Majesty’s service, that on a recent occasion, when the United States steamer Wachusett, then bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Wilkes, was passing near a British port in the Bahamas, she declined to receive a visit of an officer sent out from the British vessel. The attention of the Navy Department will be at once directed to the subject, with a view to obtain the proper explanations.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your lordship the assurance of my high consideration.
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.