Mr. Seward to Mr. Burnley.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 1st instant, referring to your communication of the 9th ultimo, in which you did me [Page 730] the honor to communicate to me copies of certain order in council issued by his excellency the lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia, directing that American and belligerent cruisers should come to an anchorage in the regular man-of-war anchorage off the dock-yard of Halifax, and informing me that on more than one occasion lately federal cruisers had anchored in the immediate vicinity of the port of Halifax, with a view apparently of chasing or visiting vessels leaving that port; and stating that as this is a manifest violation of international usage, of the Queen’s regulations, and of the province of Nova Scotia, you feel convinced that I will see the expediency of suggesting to the Navy Department the urgent necessity and pressing importance of issuing the necessary orders, if not already issued, to commanders of federal ships-of-war, to comply in good faith with the regulations established for the port of Halifax.
I have the honor to inform you, in reply, that I have communicated to the Secretary of the Navy a copy of your note, inviting his immediate attention to the subject.
It is presumed that the commanders of the vessels which have recently anchored off the port of Halifax have, in consequence of being on remote cruising grounds, failed to receive notice of the new regulation. Whatever may have been the cause of their proceedings, they are very much regretted, and it is not to be doubted that the Secretary of the Navy will adopt such measures as will prevent their recurrence.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your obedient servant,
J. Hume Burnley, Esq., &c., &c., &c.