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, December 29, 1864.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 22d instant, transmitting, in accordance with instructions received by you from her Majesty’s government, copies of Sir Rutherford Alcock’s despatches in regard to the events which have recently taken place in Japan. In reply, I have the honor to state that Mr. Pruyn, the United States minister in Japan, has been intrusted with discretion which will enable him to act in harmony with the treaty powers.

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

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

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