Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday relative to the case of the Margaret and Jessie, and of the box referred to therein.
[Page 564]Your lordship informs me that, in pursuance of instructions from her Majesty’s government, you take the opportunity of pressing the United States government for a decision in this case, and of expressing the regret of her Majesty’s government that it has not already been satisfactorily disposed of.
I have the honor to inform your lordship, in reply, that I cannot admit that there has been inattention, or other than unavoidable delay. A copy of you note, and the box which accompanied it, have been forwarded to the Secretary of the Navy for his attention in connexion with all the testimony which has been adduced concerning the affair.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, my lord, your obedient servant,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.