Mr. Seys to Mr. Seward.

No. 36.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the British mail steamer due here at 6 a. m. this day having been delayed, I am afforded the opportunity of announcing the fact that James S. Payne, of Monrovia, has been duly elected President of the republic of Liberia.

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The house of representatives having seen fit, because of some want of constitutionality in the election returns of one or two places, to throw them out of the general ballots, Mr. Payne was found to have a majority of the votes cast, and his election was announced by the said house of representatives, thus precluding the necessity of a joint convention of the two branches of the legislature for said purpose.

I have the honor to be, sir, with the highest respect, your most obedient servant,

JOHN SEYS.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.