Office of the Historian

Mr. Burnley to Mr. Seward.

Washington, September 16, 1864.

Sir: I have the honor to submit to your notice a copy of a letter which I have received from a man named George W. Hutcheson, who states that he is a British subject, and of the paragraph No. 4 of General Orders No. 36, of the district of Vicksburg, to which reference is made in his letter.

You will perceive that Mr. Hutcheson, who appears to be a respectable man, and to have already suffered great losses by the war, would be by this order reduced to the alternative of taking the oath of allegiance to the United States government, or of being deprived of the only means of supporting himself and his family.

I beg you to take this case into your favorable consideration, and I should be very much obliged to you if you could enable me to give Mr. Hutcheson some assurance of being able to continue in his present situation without his being obliged to take the oath of allegiance to the United States government.

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

J. HUME BURNLEY.

Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.

Mr. Hutcheson to Lord Lyons.

Vicksburg, Miss., September 3, 1864.

My Lord: I enclose copy of orders published here for regulation of trade stores, and respectfully call your attention to article four thereof, to the effect that none shall be employed, or admitted, in any capacity, in any such store, who has not taken the oath of allegiance to the United States government. My lord, I have been residing in this city for some years, and, through depredations of confederate soldiers and losses by fire, been deprived of all I possessed. Since the federal occupation of this place I have been employed as a bookkeeper, and I most respectfully ask information from your lordship if, unless I take the oath of allegiance to the United States government, I am, by military authority, to be forbidden to use the only means I now possess of subsisting my family. I have strictly observed the neutrality proclamation of her Majesty, and have at all times been ready to perform any duty that could be required of me as a subject of her Majesty.

I have, &c.,

GEORGE W. HUTCHESON.

The Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.

[Extract.]

Headquarters District of Vicksburg, Vicksburg, Miss., September 2, 1864.

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IV. .No person keeping a trade, supply, sutler, or other store shall employ and admit into his or her place of business as a clerk, partner, assistant, or otherwise, any person who has not taken the oath of allegiance to the government of the United States.

By order of Major General N. J. T. Dana.

H.C. RODGERS, Assistant Adjutant General.