Mr. Burnley to Mr. Seward
Sir: With reference to your note of the 8th July, and to previous correspondence, and to Lord Lyons’s note of the 5th August relative to the case of the Labuan, I have the honor to state that the agent for the owners has recently written to me requesting information as to how his client’s case stands at present.
I perceive by the correspondence that the matter was to have been brought [Page 7] before Congress, at its last session, with a view to a speedy settlement of the claims of the parties, but that certain testimony essential to a proper determination of the question of damages had not been obtained from the consul at Matamoras, and that, therefore, to your great regret, the case had been unavoidably delayed.
As another session has now commenced, I venture to bring the subject forward again in the hope that the settlement may not be far distant.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.