Archibald to Richard Lyons, 1st Viscount Lyons, January 25, 1864

Consul Archibald to Lord Lyons.

My Lord: Referring to my despatch of the 5th instant, I have the honor to report to your lordship that Stephen Shephard, master of the bark Saxon, has arrived at this port from Cape Town, to protect the interests of the owners of the vessel who, having forwarded a power of attorney to Mr. Charles Edwards to represent them, my interposition on their behalf has been rendered unnecessary.

I am informed by Captain Shephard that the evidence of himself and of his crew, in reference to the capture of the Saxon, and the shooting of the chief mate of that vessel, was taken in due form at Cape Town, and transmitted to England by her Majesty’s ship Gorgon, which sailed from Cape Town about the last day of November.

I transmit, herewith enclosed, a copy of a letter this day received by me from Mr. Charles Edwards, the counsel for the claimants. In reference to the question of the seizure of the Saxon while in British waters, (if the fact be so,) I presume instructions from her Majesty’s government will be received by the mail steamer China, due at this port in the course of the present week. Meantime, any interposition on this ground of claim, it appears to me, would be premature, and, indeed, without any evidence on which to base it.

I have not as yet been able to trace the steward of the Saxon.

I have, &c.,