Mr. Seward to Mr. Burnley
Sir: Information, considered reliable, has been received at this department, that five blockade-running steamers, which recently cleared from Nassau to St. John’s, New Brunswick, were so cleared with a view to conceal their real destination, and that they are to touch at some point on the Bahamas or elsewhere, where arms and ammunition are in readiness for them, and that upon receiving such armament they are to co-operate with iron-clads and rams expected from European ports, in committing depredations upon the cities and the property of the people of the loyal States. I will thank you to notify the authorities of the Bahamas of these facts, and I hope that such measures may be adopted as will prevent the armament of the vessels referred to being taken from the Bahamas or other British ports.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your obedient servant,
J. Hume Burnley, Esq., &c., &c., &c.