Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the note dated the 26th instant, with which you have transmitted to me a copy of a letter from the Secretary of War to the Secretary of the Navy, stating that the judge advocate general reports that, beyond reasonable doubt, Mr. J, M. Vernon is not a British subject.
It will be in your recollection that, with a note dated the 4th of last month, I submitted to you an authenticated copy of an affidavit made by Mr. Vernon, to the effect that he is a native-born British subject, and that he has never been naturalized in this or any other country, nor declared his intention of becoming so naturalized. You will, therefore, I trust, not deem it unreasonable of me to ask that I may be made acquainted with the grounds upon which the judge advocate founds his opinion that Mr. Vernon is not a British subject.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Hon. W. H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.