Mr. Seward to Mr. Burnley

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 17th ultimo, communicating to me, under the instruction of her Britannic Majesty’s government, a copy of a despatch of the 26th of November last, addressed by Earl Russell to Lord Lyons, in regard to the notice given by this government for the termination of the existing conventional arrangement between Great Britain and the United States, limiting the naval force of the respective governments on the lakes, and to the reasons which prompted that notice.

The views and suggestions which Earl Russell has thus presented to this government will receive an attentive consideration.

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

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

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