Right Hon. Lord Lyons to William H. Seward, December 17, 1863

Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward..

Sir: I have the honor to submit to you a copy of a letter from Patrick Hamilton, a prisoner in Fort Warren, who represents that he is a British subject; that he shipped at Havana a seaman on board a vessel bound for Matamoras, which was captured, and that he has since been detained as a prisoner. This letter was received during my absence by Mr. Stuart, who directed her Majesty’s consul at Boston to visit the prisoner at Fort Warren, and inquire into the truth of his statement. I enclose a copy of the consul’s report, and I trust that you will deem it right to move the proper authorities to direct that Hamilton be released from prison. He appears to have been already in confinement for more than six months.

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