LOUSADA, Her Britannic Majesty’s Consul, to Lyons, December 10, 1863

Mr. Lousada to Lord Lyons.

My Lord: I took advantage yesterday of my visit to Fort Warren to Patrick Hamilton, subject of your lordship’s despatch of the 23d November.

I found that he was ignorant of any special cause of detention, and to ray interrogatories as to his birthplace, place of residence, &c., his answers were satisfactory, and, by a curious coincidence, my secretary had been resident in the identical place, and elicited from Hamilton, not only details of the streets and localities, but of the persons, factories, &c., leaving no shadow of doubt as to his being an Irishman, and the person he represents himself to be. He wished to have an oath administered to him that he had never done anything to impair his nationality, and Iaccordingly administered, the usual oath to him. Unless there are circumstances of which I am not in possession, making his further detention necessary to the United States authorities, I should beg to recommend his claim for protection to your lordship’s favorable notice.

I am, &c., &c.,