I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most
obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
&c., &c., &c.
Lieutenant Governor Macdonald to
Mr. Burnley
Government House, Halifax, Nova
Scotia,
March 29, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
receipt of yours of the 16th March, covering a communication from
Mr. Seward, of the 14th instant, addressed to you on the position of
the United States consul at Halifax.
Whatever be the usage of the United States government, I was not
aware that any practice existing here, or in any other colony,
precluded consuls of foreign powers from communicating through the
provincial secretary with her Majesty’s representative. On the
contrary, it has always been supposed that a principal object in
stationing consuls in foreign possessions was to facilitate and
insure speedy and correct means of communication, in the absence of
any higher diplomatic officer, between the local authorities and
consular representatives of foreign powers in matters wherein the
latter might be locally interested.
I am gratified to learn that Mr. Seward recognizes the just
neutrality which I have hitherto maintained, but regret his
observations on the conduct of the people of this province and the
citizens of Halifax. I cannot suppose Mr. Seward seriously to
suggest that this government can prevent its post offices being used
for the transmission of letters from Richmond or any other place,
any more than I can suppose that he expects the executive here to
interfere with the rights of neutral citizens to clear from the port
of Halifax with such cargoes as they may think most profitable.
Their right to do so was affirmed by the greatest legal authorities
in the United States, and does not override the right of United
States cruisers to seize them if attempting to break a legitimate
blockade.
5. If on reconsideration by the great powers of such conflicting
rights any alteration in existing international usages be agreed to,
and I be instructed accordingly, Mr. Seward may rely on my giving a
hearty and complete effect thereto. In the mean time I can assure
Mr. Seward that Halifax is not a rendezvous for “piratical cruisers”
engaged in destroying the commerce of the United States on the high
seas, and no officer of the Queen has any sympathy with pirates, or
could retain his office a day if he countenanced them. Mr. Seward
cannot but know that this government must deal with belligerent
cruisers of the southern States as they are dealt with by his own
government—that is, as being completely protected from treatment as
pirates by the commissions of their commanders, in the same way as
southern generals and officers are, for the same reason, treated by
Mr. Seward’s government—not as banditti, but as regular
combatants.
6. It is very unfortunate, therefore, that prejudices arising from
imperfect information should encourage the adoption of measures by
the United States government unfavorable to the trade and
intercourse of Nova Scotia with a kindred race whose enterprise and
commercial spirit, no less than their geographical position,
constitute them our most natural friends and most valuable
neighbors. I regret it the more, as no action of this government can
possibly change the unquestioned neutral right which international
usage has established.
7. It is clear, however, that Mr. Seward is not well informed as to
the general feeling here; and it is wholly inconsistent with fact
that, except for a trade, legitimate according to the practice of
United States citizens and the decisions of their courts, this port
is resorted to by any sympathizers with the Confederate States, or
that the latter procure here either arms or other munitions of
war.
8. If I had been clothed twice over with all the extraordinary powers
recently given to the governor general, which Mr. Seward so highly
approves, I am not aware of a single case, since my arrival here
last June, in which it would have been my duty to exert them.
9. My only reason for adverting to these subjects is, that Mr. Seward
apparently assumes
[Page 120]
in his
communication to you that this government is aware of much hostility
to the United States existing here, and of direct aid frequently
given to enemies of the United States by Nova Scotians. I am,
therefore, unwilling to appear by my silence to admit the
correctness of such views. On the contrary, I feel assured that Mr.
Seward will rejoice at finding reasonable grounds for modifying
opinions prejudicial to the common interests both of the United
States and this province.
I have, &c.,
