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

Mr. Seward to Mr. Morris

No. 44.]

Department of State, Washington, December 31, 1862.

Sir: Your despatch of November 27 (No. 36) was received.

The views you have submitted concerning that part of the Hatti Hurnayoum of 1856, which promised a concession to aliens to hold real estate in Turkey, seem, at this distance from the place where the argument thereupon is going on, to be judicious and proper.

The President learns with satisfaction that the severe proceedings against the assassins of the Rev. Mr. Merriam, which it has been your duty to invoke, are likely to be carried to a full completion, and that a greater safety of the lives of American citizens throughout the empire has already resulted from them.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

E. Joy Morris, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Constantinople.