Mr. Seward to Mr.
Burnley.
Department of State,
Washington,
October 10, 1864.
Sir: Referring to your note of the 1st instant,
relative to a recent violation by the United States vessels-of-war of
the order of the executive council of Nova Scotia, a copy of which was
communicated by you to this department on the 9th ultimo, I have the
honor to enclose, in reply, a copy of a letter of the 6th instant from
the Secretary of the Navy, containing a full explanation of the evil
complained of, which I hope will prove satisfactory to her Britannic
Majesty’s government.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your obedient
servant,
J. Hume Burnley, Esq., &c, &c., &c.
[Page 739]
Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward.
Navy Department,
Washington,
October 6, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, enclosing a copy of a
note of the 1st instant from J. Hume Burnley, esq., in regard to
United States cruisers anchoring in the vicinity of the port of
Halifax, instead of at the regular man-of-war anchorage off the
dock-yard of Halifax;, as required by the order of the executive
council of Nova Scotia, a copy of which was communicated to this
department with your letter of the 12th ultimo.
The vessels that were despatched by this department to cruise on the
eastern coast had received their instructions and had left port
before the receipt of the copy of the order of the council referred
to. The steamer Florida is the vessel that has probably violated the
regulation, but the violation has doubtless been unknowingly
committed. She was on special service, and was ordered by telegraph
towards Halifax, without being in possession of this decision of the
council.
I have sent a copy of it to-day to our cruisers on the eastern coast,
and I would be glad if the Department of State would instruct the
United States consul at Halifax to communicate to any of our war
vessels arriving at Halifax the order of the council before they
drop anchor, if possible.
Very respectfully, &c, &c,
GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the
Navy.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
