Lord Lyons to Mr.
Seward.
Washington,
February 20, 1864.
Sir: With reference to my note of yesterday I
hasten to send to you a copy of a despatch from her Majesty’s consul at
New York, which puts it beyond all
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doubt that the statement made to the Navy
Department that Captain Steele, of the Banshee, does not make oath that
he is a British subject, is incorrect.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most
obedient, humble servant,
Mr. Archibald to Lord Lyons.
British Consultate, New
York,
February 18, 1864.
My Lord: Referring to my despatch of the
16th instant, I have the honor to report to your lordship that I
have examined at the district clerk’s office the testimony “in
preparation” in the case of the Banshee, which has been returned
from Washington, and I find that the answer to the first
interrogatory is as follows:
“To the first interrogatory he says: I was born in Yorkshire,
England; I live at Liverpool when 1 am at home, and that has been my
residence for about eleven years. I am married, and my wife and
family live there. I am a British subject, and owe allegiance to the
British government.”
The whole of the answers are subscribed by Captain Steele thus: “Jonathan
W. Steele, master,” and were sworn to by him,
before Mr. Henry H. Elliott, prize commissioner, on the 27th of
November last.
I called on Mr. Elliott, and asked him if Captain Steele, on any
occasion, had declined to swear that he was a British subject. He
replied, “No;” “that so far as he recollected he answered the
interrogatory on that subject readily.”
I transmit, herewith enclosed, for your lordship’s use, a copy of the
stated rules and standing interrogatories in prize courts.
I have, &c,
