Office of the Historian

Mr. Burnley to Mr. Seward.

Washington, October 9, 1864.

Sir: With reference to your note of the 13th ultimo, relative to the steamer Mary, and her supposed connexion with the southern insurgents, I have the honor to enclose copy of a despatch which I have received on this subject from the lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia.

I have the.honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

J. HUME BURNLEY.

Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c, &c.

[Page 738]

Mr. Macdonnell to Mr. Burnley.

Government House, Halifax, Nova Scotia, September 30, 1864.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 13th instant, which did not reach me till the 28th instant. Your letter encloses a communication from Mr. Seward, representing that the Mary, formerly the Alexandria, has arrived at Halifax, for the supposed purpose of being armed, and equipped for the confederate service.

Mr. Seward, therefore, suggests that you should communicate with me, in order that the hostile designs of that vessel against the United States and their shipping may not be carried into effect from any port within my jurisdiction.

In reply, I have to state that in future, as heretofore, my most strenuous exertions shall be directed to maintaining within the neutral waters of this portion of her Majesty’s dominions the strictest observance of those orders which have been issued for my guidance in reference to belligerent cruisers, whether federal or confederate.

I cannot, however, interfere with any vessel British-owned, in a British harbor, on mere suspicion; nevertheless, I have so decided a determination to prevent any abuse of the accommodation afforded by this port to any party, that I have instituted inquiry, for my own satisfaction, into the rumored destination of the Mary. I have even directed that the Mary shall be watched, and am prepared to interfere, if any illegal equipment of that vessel, for warlike purposes, be attempted in this province.

At the same time you may inform Mr. Seward that the result of my inquiries leads me to suppose that the Mary, although originally strongly built, and apparently intended for warlike purposes, is now lying here an embarrassment to her owners, unsaleable and unserviceable, either as an ordinary merchantman or a cruiser. Her speed under steam does not exceed four and a half knots, and I believe she is considered a failure, whatever may have been her original destination. Therefore no difficulty is likely to arise in her case.

I have, &c., &c,

R. G. MACDONNELL, Lieutenant Governor, &c, &c.

J. Hume Burnley, Esq., &c., &c., &c.