Mr. Seward to Mr. Burnley.
Sir: This department has been informed that Captain Hewitt, late in command of the British ship-of-war Rinaldo, and who is understood to be still an officer in her Britannic Majesty’s naval service, is now the commander of the steamer Condor, which recently cleared from Halifax, Nova Scotia, for Wilmington, North Carolina, laden principally with clothing for the insurgents in this country. If this information should prove to be well founded, it is presumed that the employment of Captain Hewitt in the business referred to is without the knowledge of, and will not be sanctioned by, his government.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your obedient servant,
J. Hume Burnley, Esq., &c., &c, &c.