Mr. Seward to Mr. Burnley
Sir: I have the honor to acquaint you, for the information of the Canadian authorities, that it has been represented to this department, from a credible source, that enemies of the United States lurking in Canada are preparing to make a formidable incursion into the territory of the United States for the purpose of committing depredations at Burlington, in Vermont, and White Hall, in New York, while Lake Champlain shall remain frozen over, and to destroy the shipping in the harbors of those ports; that their plans are matured, and that the reason they have not already attempted their execution was the re-arrest of the St. Albans felons, which induced them to postpone the movement until the decision of the court in the case of those felons can be ascertained.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your obedient servant,
J. Hume Burnley, Esq., &c., &c., &c.