Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.

My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday, with the accompanying papers, relative to a violation of British territory by a party of United States soldiers who crossed the frontier to the township of Wolf Island, in Canada, and there forcibly carried off a man named Ebenezer Tyler.

Assuming the statement upon the subject communicated by you to be correct, you correctly appreciate the sense of justice of this government by expecting that Tyler will be set at liberty, and that other proper reparation will be made to her Majesty’s government. Your note will consequently be referred to the Secretary of War, with a request that an investigation of the matter be at once made, with a view to such further proceedings as the result may call for.

I have the honor to be, with high consideration, your lordship’s obedient

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.