Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday, in which you state that the parties interested in the British steamer Adela had represented to her Majesty’s government that that vessel had been ordered by the prize court at Key West to be sold within forty days.
In reply, I have the honor to acquaint you that this department has no other information upon the subject; but some time since the United States attorney at Key West was instructed to report the situation of the case, and the report may soon be expected.
If, however, the sale of the vessel has been ordered, as represented, it may be presumed that this was in conformity with the usual admiralty proceedings in such cases. I shall, however, take means to ascertain the grounds and circumstances of the alleged order of sale, and when sufficiently informed I will recur to the subject.
I have the honor to be your very obedient servant,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.