Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Seward to Mr. Burnley

Department of State, Washington, February 8, 1865.

Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter of yesterday, addressed, by command of Major General Dix, by Major Charles O. doline to Major General J. C. Robinson, commanding northern division of New York, in regard to an organization reported to be progressing at or near Cape Vincent, with a view to a marauding expedition into Canadian territory, as an act of retaliation for that upon St. Albans.

I will thank you to advise the Canadian authorities of that project, and that the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General have been apprised of the facts, and requested to instruct the officers of the United States subject to their orders to take measures to prevent any such movement.

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

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

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

Major Joline to Major General Robinson

Headquarters Department of the East, New York City, February 7, 1865.

General: The commanding general has information that a man named Briggs has been for some time past, and is now, engaged in organizing a body of men at or near Cape Vincent with the avowed object of making a raid upon Kingston, in retaliation for that upon St. Albans.

The commanding general directs that you make immediate investigation as to this allegation, and that your utmost efforts be used to prevent the outrage, if the same appears to be contemplated.

By command of Major General Dix:

CHARLES O. JOLINE, Major and A. D. C.

Major General J. C. Robinson, Commanding Northern District of Mew York, Albany.