Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Seward to Mr. Burnley

Department of State, Washington, January 19, 1865.

Sir: Referring to your note of the 6th ultimo, and to previous correspondence between her Majesty’s legation and this department, relative to the alleged improper detention of the crew of the Night Hawk in prison, I have the honor to inform you that the Secretary of the Navy, in a letter of the 17th instant, states that orders for the release of the officers of the Night Hawk were given on the 14th instant.

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

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

J. Hume Burnley, Esq., &c., &c., &c.