Right Hon. Lord Lyons to William H. Seward, March 4, 1864

Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward.

Sir: With reference to the conversation which we had yesterday, on the subject of the note which, in pursuance of instructions from her Majesty’s government, I addressed to you on the 1st instant respecting the case of the “Sir William Peel,” I do myself the honor to transmit to you herewith certified copies of the depositions and decrees in court, in the case, up to the 9 the of January last. You will find among these documents a copy of the order of the court granting time to procure further evidence in the cause.

I trust that the information thus supplied will suffice to enable you to come to a decision on the case, without incurring the delay which would be occasioned by a reference to New Orleans.

I have also the honor to transmit to you a copy, taken from the New York Times of the 29th November last, of the intercepted letter from Commander Rolando to Captain Fox.

I beg you to be so good as to send back to me the copy of this intercepted letter, as well as the copies of the depositions and decrees of court.

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

The case of the Sir William Peel.—An interesting letter from Captain Rolando, of the Seminole.

The Richmond Enquirer publishes the following correspondence, premising that “this Henry Rolando is a South Carolinian by birth, and disappointed his friends very much by remaining with the enemies of his country. He was with Captain Pegram in the expedition against the Chinese pirates, and behaved very gallantly. Before the war his word would have stood against the oath of any Englishman, but the amount of lying done by his brother Yankee officers during the war makes it rather doubtful whether his word will pass now among gentlemen. Such is the effect of association.”