Mr. Seward to Mr. Burnley
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 16th of March, in relation to the President’s proclamation banishing blockade-runners from the United States.
Willing in this, as in all other cases involving international questions, to hear and consider the views of her Majesty’s government, I must be content at the present moment to say that I am aware of no treaty or principle of public law which requires a country engaged in civil war to yield asylum to those who give aid and comfort to the internal enemy. The United States have suffered too many evils and dangers from the class of persons mentioned to allow them the privileges cheerfully awarded to all unoffending exiles.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your obedient servant,
J. Hume Burnley, Esq., &c., &c., &c.