Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part I

Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.

Department of State, Washington, April 7, 1863.

My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 1th instant, transmitting an authenticated copy of an affidavit made by Mr. J. M. Vernon, a prisoner in Fort Lafayette, in which he declares that he is a native of England, and that he has never been naturalized in the United States, nor in any way exercised the peculiar privileges of an American citizen.

In reply, I have the honor to inform you that the attention of the Secretary of the Navy has been invited to the matter.

The affidavit which accompanied your note is herewith returned to you.

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

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

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