Lord Lyons to Mr.
Seward.
Washington,
July 11, 1864
Sir: I have the honor to submit to you an
extract from a letter addressed to her Majesty’s principal secretary of
state for foreign affairs, in which it is stated that two apprentices
belonging to the British bark Cuzco had deserted that ship at
Valparaiso, and been taken on board the United States ship St.
Mary’s.
I beg you to cause an investigation of this matter to be made, and to
communicate the result to me, for the information of her Majesty’s
secretary of state.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most
obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H.Seward,
&c., &c., &c.
[Page 650]
[Untitled]
Extract from a
letter from Mr. William Nicol to Lord Russell, dated 7
Sweeting street, Dale street,
Liverpool, June 18, 1864.
“By a recent mail from Valparaiso I was informed by Captain
McPherson, of the British bark Ouzco, of which I am owner, that two
apprentices had deserted his ship, and that after spending several
days in inquiring for them, we traced them to the American
ship-of-war St Mary’s.
“Captain McPherson states that he went on board the St. Mary’s and
demanded that these boys, being apprentices of his ship, should be
given up. I regret to say, however, that the commander of the vessel
gave him no satisfaction, only replying that the boys could not be
found without a deal of trouble. As the Cuzco was then ready for
sea, and had already lost so much time waiting for the|boys, Captain
McPherson was under the necessity of sailing without them.
“I may mention that the parents and securities of the boys are
pressing me to move in the matter.”
