Mr. Seward to Mr. Burnley
Sir: Referring to my note to Lord Lyons of the 20th of December, 1863, requesting through his lordship that, in virtue of the provisions of the treaty stipulations on the subject, her Majesty’s government would issue the necessary warrant for the delivery of John C. Braine, H. A. Parr, John Parker Locke, David Collins, George Robinson, John Wade, and others, charged with the commission of piracy and murder in the American steamer Chesapeake, I have now the honor to state that information has been received at this department from the consul of the United States at St. John’s to the effect that, upon the discharge of the parties arraigned under the charge of piracy committed on board of the before-named Chesapeake, new warrants were issued by Justice Parker for the apprehension of all the offenders known to have been concerned in the transaction; that these warrants were not, and, perhaps, could not have been, served at the time, by reason of the escape of the criminals to parts unknown.
It having recently come to the consul’s knowledge that four or five of these fugitives had returned within the jurisdiction of New Brunswick, he has notified the high sheriff, in whose hands these warrants now are, of the fact.
It is hoped that every facility may be afforded by the provisional authorities for their apprehension and commitment; and I now have the honor to request, through you, sir, that upon the apprehension and commitment of the said fugitives, or any of them, within the province of New Brunswick or elsewhere, within the jurisdiction of her Britannic Majesty, her Majesty’s proper authorities will be pleased to issue the necessary warrant for the delivery of the said fugitives to any person duly authorized by the government of the United States to receive them, in order that they may be brought back to the United States for trial.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your obedient servant,
J. Hume Burnley, Esq., &c., &c., &c.