Mr. Seward to Mr.
Burnley
Department of State,
Washington,
January 19, 1865.
Sir: Referring to your note of the 13th
instant, in which you propose that the James Douglas may be brought to
New York and there regularly appraised and a settlement made with the
owners, I have the honor to enclose, in reply, a copy of a letter of the
31st ultimo from the Secretary of the Navy.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most
obedient servant,
J. Hume Burnley, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward
Navy
Department,
December 31, 1864.
Sir: I have had the honor to receive your
letter of the 28th instant, enclosing a copy of a note from J. Hume
Burnley, esquire, in relation to the schooner James Douglas.
The department has neither asserted any claims to the vessel in
question, nor is aware that it has incurred any liability in
relation to it. It came accidentally into the possession of officers
of the navy, having been found abandoned at sea. The question of
salvage is entirely between the individual salvors and the owner or
owners. If the navy has had the use of the vessel, it has had the
trouble and expense of taking care of it; but it declines to incur
the expense of having the vessel towed to New York. It would be
pleased, under the circumstances, to have the vessel taken off its
hands as early as practicable, and can assume no responsibility for
its safe-keeping.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the
Navy.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
