Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
Department of State, Washington,
February 13, 1864.
My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your memorandum of the 8th instant, relative to the release
of the master and crew of the captured British steamer Banshee, and, in
reply, to enclose herewith to you the copy of a letter of yesterday,
addressed to this department by the Secretary of the Navy, from which it
will be seen that he has directed the discharge of all of the crew of
the Banshee except F. Foley, who makes no claim to be a British or
foreign subject, and Jonathan Steele, the master of that vessel, who is
reported to the Navy Department to be an American.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, your lordship’s obedient
servant,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.
[Page 520]
Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward.
Navy
Department,
February 12, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 9th instant in relation to the
foreigners captured on board the Banshee. In accordance with your
recommendation, I have directed the discharge of all mentioned in
the list enclosed to me excepting Foley and Jonathan Steele. The
order for their discharge is withheld for the reason that the former
was born in Baltimore, and makes no claim to be a British or foreign
subject, and the latter, although claiming to be a British subject,
does not make oath to that effect. He was the master of the Banshee,
and it was reported to the department that he is an American.
Very respectfully, &c,
GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
