Mr. Burton to Mr. Seward
Sir: In answer to an indication contained in the last paragraph of despatch from the department, No. 138, dated April 30th, 1866, I have the honor to state, that the modifications proposed to the orders to the President of Panama of May 13, 1865, will be found inserted in a note addressed me by the secretary of foreign relations on the 4th of January last, marked A, and attached to my No. 212. The modifications proposed are these:
1. United States troops in crossing the isthmus to be entirely unarmed, their officers excepted.
2. On arriving in the ports at the ends of the railroad, they are not to be disembarked until the train which is to carry them is ready to receive them and to start. The soldiers are not to leave the train except to go directly aboard the vessel which is to receive them.
3. The train carrying them to make no stoppage on the way.
4. Deserters to be arrested by the local authorities only, on application of a United States officer.
I regard the proposed change as entirely abandoned. I refer to my Nos. 218 and 223.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.