I am directed by
Earl Russell to transmit to you, to be laid before
the
Duke of Newcastle, a Copy of a despatch from
Lord Lyons stating
that he had been requested by
M Seward to assure Her Majesty's
Government that there was no truth in the rumours of military
preparations in California with a view of
menacing![Manuscript image Manuscript image](https://hcmc.uvic.ca/~coldesp/jpg_scans/jpg_thumbnail/co_305_21/co_305_21_00123v.jpg)
menacing the British
possessions.