Mr. F. W. Seward to Lord Lyons.
My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 25th instant, making inquiry concerning a report made to you by her Majesty’s consul at Boston, that the British steamship Aries, which has been carried to that port as a prize, is now being valued with a view to her being taken possession of by the United States naval authorities before the validity of her capture has been affirmed by the sentence of a prize court, and to inform you that it has been referred to the Secretary of the Navy for the purpose of obtaining information on the subject.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your lordship the assurance of my high consideration.
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.