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Richard Bickerton Pernell, Viscount Lyons, (1817 Richard Bickerton Pernell, Viscount Lyons, (1817-18

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Richard Bickerton Pernell, Viscount Lyons, (1817 Richard Bickerton Pernell, Viscount Lyons, (1817-18
<B>Richard Bickerton Pernell, Viscount Lyons, (1817-1887), British Ambassador to the United States during the Civil War, Autograph Letter Signed</B></I> "<I>Lyons</B></I>" two pages 4.5" x 7", Washington, June 20, 1861 to Second Assistant Secretary of State William Hunter, (1805-1886), asking him if "<I>...anything came of the enquiries concerning the two boys said to have been kidnapped by the Mater of the American Schooner 'Pebe'? Mr Seward's note to me on the subject is dated 30th April..</B></I>" Seward probably had more important affairs to attend to than to deal with a case of two kidnapped foreign nationals. Lyons' tenure as Minister to Washington was not uneventful, to say the least, as he attempted to balance British interests toward the North and South. He is, perhaps, best remembered for his masterful handling of the <I>Trent</B></I> affair -- the capture, by the U.S. Navy, of two Confederate diplomats, aboard a British steamer bound for Europe, brought the U.S. and Britain very close to war. It was largely Lyons' tact and firmness that prevented the conflict. Mounting remnants on right margin of second page, else fine. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.