Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
My Dear Sir: Persons hostile to the United States, who have sought an asylum in Canada, appear to be engaged in a serious and mischievous plot. Indeed, if the information which has reached the governor general be correct, they have a project for invading the United States, and attacking and destroying the city of Buffalo. They propose to get possession of some of the steamboats on Lake Erie, to surprise Johnston’s island, and set free the prisoners of war who are confined there, and to proceed with them to attack Buffalo. The governor general suggests that steamboats should be watched, and he appears to have some suspicions connected with Ogdensburg. He has taken all the precautions in his power; has ordered a sharp lookout to be kept on the Welland [Page CXXXVIII] canal, and desired that any steamboat giving cause for suspicion by the number or character of the passengers on board shall be arrested.
You will excuse my disturbing you so late. The information has only just reached me by telegraph, and it may be important that you should know it without delay.
The governor general authorizes me to communicate it to you.
Believe me to be, my dear sir, your faithful servant,
Hon. William H. Seward.