Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Her Majesty’s government, with a view to rightly understanding the President’s proclamation of the 18th February last, have desired me to send [Page 597] them official information of the fact of the port of Brownsville being in possession of the United States troops.
I recollect that in the month of November last, when accounts of the occupation of Brownsville first appeared in the newspapers, I had some conversation with you on the subject, and that you observed that the government had not yet received official reports, but that you entertained no doubt that the intelligence in the newspapers was correct.
I do not recollect seeing any official account of the event in the newspapers afterwards, nor do I find any on searching the files of those papers which have been preserved here. I venture, therefore, to have recourse to your kindness, and to ask you to communicate to me any document, or to give me any information which will enable me to state officially to her Majesty’s government the fact of the port of Brownsville being in possession of the United States troops, and the date at which they repossessed it.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.