Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.
Sir: On the 18th of May last, I had the honor to address to you a note respecting certain measures adopted by the military authorities at Memphis with regard to foreigners, and on the 19th and 30th of the same month you were so good as to write to me in answer to that note.
On the 20th ultimo I addressed a note to you, calling your attention to an order of the military authorities at Memphis, which directed that no person exempted from service in the militia on the ground of his being a foreign subject should be allowed to engage in business at that place.
On the 30th ultimo I again addressed you on this matter, and I ventured to express an earnest hope that you would authorize me to give to British subjects at Memphis such definite information respecting the views of the government of the United States as would dissipate their apprehensions and enable them to feel some security as to their future position.
It is now my duty to beg you to take into consideration a further order issued on the 9th instant by the military authorities at Memphis, of which I do myself the honor to transmit a copy to you herewith. You will perceive that all foreign subjects and citizens within the district of Memphis claiming exemption from the Memphis militia by reason of alienage, and engaged in business of any character are required to enrol themselves for the defence of the city within ten days, and are threatened with arrest and punishment in case of failure.
I must once more earnestly beg you to give your attention to these matters, and to adopt without delay some measures for the relief of subjects of friendly powers, whose duty to their own sovereigns forbids their taking up arms on either side in the existing war.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.