Lord Lyons to Mr.
Seward.
Washington,
August 6, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you
herewith a copy of a despatch which I have received from her Majesty’s
acting consul at New York respecting permission to visit British
subjects in Fort Lafayette.
I beg you to recommend the subject to the consideration of the proper
authorities, and I would suggest that, if there be no objection to that
course, such instructions should be given as would enable the consul or
acting consul at New York, or a person in the employment of the
consulate deputed by them, to visit British subjects at Fort Lafayette,
without the necessity for applying for a special permission each
time.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most
obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,&c., &c., &c.
Mr. Edwards to Lord Lyons.
British Consulate,
New York,
August 3, 1864.
My Lord: Having applied to General Dix for
permission to visit British subjects at Fort Lafayette, I have been informed by him that he has at present
[Page 671]
no power to grant such
permission, which can only be obtained from the commissary general
of prisoners at Washington.
I have the honor to request that your lordship will be so good as to
apply to the proper quarter for the required permission, and, should
your lordship see no objection thereto, have the honor to suggest
that leave be granted me to visit the fort without restriction as to
time, or, in the event of being unable to go myself, to send a clerk
in my stead, as with the present business of the consulate it is
almost impossible for me to definitely fix the day upon which I
shall be able to avail myself of such permission.
I have,
P. EDWARDS, Acting
Consul.
Lord Lyons,
&c., &c., &c.
