Mr. Seward to Mr. Burnley
Sir: Your note of the 21st ultimo, stating that her Britannic Majesty is desirous of nominating Lieutenant Pearson, of the United States navy, a companion of the Military Division of the Order of the Bath, as a recognition of his ready co-operation with the combined forces of Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and the United States, in their recent operations in the straits of Simonoskai, in Japan, expressing the hope that the President will be pleased to allow that officer to accept the honor, having been referred to the Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Welles remarks, in reply, that the Constitution of the United States forbids any officer in their service from accepting an honor of the character referred to without the consent of Congress; that although the Navy Department and Lieutenant Pearson himself cannot fail to be gratified by the favorable opinion [Page 46] expressed of his professional services on the occasion referred to, by so distinguished and experienced an officer as Vice-Admiral Sir A. L. Kuper, yet, as, upon due consideration, it has not been deemed advisable to recommend the promotion of Lieutenant Pearson by his own government, the President would prefer to decline at present making any application to Congress on the subject.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your obedient servant
J. HUME Burnley, Esq., &c., &c., &c.