Mr. Seward to Mr. Burlingame
Sir: Your despatch of the 3d of June, No. 78, has been received. It contains an account of the trial, conviction, and execution, at Shanghai, of John D. Buckley, an American citizen, upon a charge of murder, and is accompanied by a copy of the legal proceedings in that case in the court over which the consul general presided. These papers having been submitted to the President, I have to inform you that they are approved. Transactions of this nature in foreign countries are exceedingly painful to the agents of the government, and hardly less so to the President himself. It is, therefore, with special satisfaction that we find in your despatch the reasons for believing that a marked improvement in the conduct of such of our countrymen residing in China as are viciously disposed has manifested itself, in consequence of the promptness with which justice has been recently administered by the consular court, with your enlightened approbation.
The extraordinary expenses incurred by the consulate in connexion with these proceedings will be defrayed by this department.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Anson Burlingame, Esq., &c., &c., &c.