Right Hon. Lord Lyons to William H. Seward, December 16, 1861

Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.

Sir: I have this afternoon had the honor to receive two notes from you dated thirteen days ago, and a third dated twelve days ago. They relate to the representations which I felt it to be my duty to address to you with regard to the treatment to which seamen belonging to the British schooners Revere and Louisa Agnes were subjected by officers of the United States navy. It is not my purpose, on the present occasion, to make any observations on their contents. I hasten, however, to inform you that they have only reached me to-day, lest I should be deemed guilty of discourtesy in not having acknowledged the receipt of them until so long after their dates.

I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,