No. 23.
Lord Lyons to Earl
Russell.—(Received February 17.)
Washington,
February 5, 1864.
My Lord: With reference to my despatches of
the 26th ultimo and of the 1st instant, I have the honor to transmit
to your lordship copies of further correspondence relative to the
killing of Mr. James Gray, mate of the British bark Saxon, by an
officer of the United States ship Vanderbilt.
Your lordship will perceive that a court of inquiry has been convened
at Boston, for the purpose of investigating this unhappy occurrence,
and that I have informed the United States government that Mr.
Shephard, the late master of the Saxon, is at New York, and have
suggested that he should be summoned to give evidence before the
court.
I have, &c.,
[Enclosure 1 in No. 23, Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons, dated February
3, 1864, published elsewhere in this volume.]
[Page 301]
[Enclosure 3 in No.
23.]
Lord Lyons to Consul Archibald.
Washington,
February 4,
1864.
Sir: I transmit to you a copy of a
letter from the Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of State,
which was enclosed in a note from the Secretary of State, which
I received last evening. Immediately after it reached me, I
despatched to you the following telegram:
“Secretary of State informs me that a court of inquiry is now
assemhled at the navy yard, Boston, to investigate the killing
of the mate of the Saxon, and that if there be any material
witness in the United States, be will be allowed ten cents per
mile for his travelling expenses, and two dollars per diem
during his attendance. Ought not Captain Shephard to
attend?”
I am, &c.,
[Enclosure 4 in No. 23.
]
Consul Archibald to Lord Lyons.
(Telegraphic.)
New York,
February 4,
1864.
I think it sufficient to notify the government that Shephard is
here. He will attend and give evidence if required on receiving
a summons for that purpose
[Enclosure 5 in No.
23.]
Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Washington,
February 5,
1864.
Sir: With reference to the letter from
the Secretary of the Navy, which you did me the honor to
communicate to me with your note of yesterday, I hasten to
inform you that Mr. Stephen Shephard, who was master of the
Saxon when Mr. James Gray met with his death on board that
vessel, is now at New York, and would doubtless be able to give
very material evidence before the court of inquiry at Boston;
and I have the honor to suggest to you to cause him to be
summoned to attend the court.
He can be heard of at her Majesty’s consulate, at New York. I
have, &c.,
