Mr. Seward to Mr. Burlingame
Sir: Referring to Mr. Williams’s despatch of the 24th of October, No. 44, and to instruction No. 188 of the 23d of February last from this department, relative to the humane conduct of Pere Gillies, a French missionary residing at Mukten, in generously assisting the shipwrecked crew of the American schooner Surprise, I transmit herewith a gold watch which the President of the United States is desirous of presenting to the Rev. Mr. Gillies, as a mark of the grateful appreciation by this government of proceedings so characteristic of his sacred calling. I will thank you to cause this testimonial to be transmitted to him in such manner as you may think most expedient and safe, and at the same time convey to him an expression of the high sense entertained by the government of the United States of the noble and humane spirit evinced by him on the occasion referred to.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Anson Burlingame, Esq., &c., &c., &c.