Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.

My dear Sir: I send you a copy of the telegram which I have despatched to the administrator of the government of Nova Scotia, in consequence of the note which I received from you this morning respecting the affair of the Chesapeake, and the conversation which I had with you on the subject afterwards.

I have despatched an identic telegram to the lieutenant governor of New Brunswick.

Yours, faithfully,

LYONS.

Hon. William H. Seward.

Lord Lyons to Lieutenant Governor Gordon (and Major General Doyle.)

[Telegraphic.]

The United States government informs me officially that it has authentic intelligence that Braine and Parr, two men charged with having committed piracy and murder on board the United States steamer Chesapeake, have taken refuge in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick; and it requests the British authorities to do anything which can be legally done to detain the two men [Page 403] until formal affidavits can be forwarded with a view to their extradition for trial. The Secretary of State suggests that if it be alleged that the men were belligerents, and that their acts were acts of lawful warfare, the proper time for examining this plea will be when the propriety of complying with an actual demand for extradition shall be under consideration. I have answered that it is certain that your excellency will act in exact conformity with the requirements of municipal law and international law and comity.

LYONS.