William H. Seward to Right Honorable Lord Lyons, January 10, 1863

Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.

My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of your lordship’s note of the 8th instant, which relates to the case of Mr. Clements, the British subject who was received on board the United States steam-ship of war the “Montgomery,” at the time of the destruction of the “Blanche.”

Your lordship must have perceived that the statements which Mr. Clements has made to Mr. Crawford are so manifestly incompatible with the deposition which he made at Pensacola, as to render an inquiry into the exact truth of the case important, before the claim now presented in his behalf can be acknowledged. Captain Hunter, of the “Montgomery,” having been ordered to, this place for trial by court-martial, his arrival may now be reasonably expected very soon. The complaint in behalf of Mr. Clements, which you have presented, will be submitted to the court-martial for the purpose of ascertaining whether it is well founded. If it shall prove so, this government will have no hesitation in yielding all the redress which the laws of nations or the municipal laws of the country prescribe.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your lordship the assurance of my high consideration.