Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Fortieth Congress, Part I

Mr. F. W. Seward to Mr. Burlingame

No. 200]

Department of State, Washington June 5, 1867.

Sir: T have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 9th of February, No. 129, enclosing a copy of a note addressed to you by Sir Rutherford Alcock, upon the subject of the relative rank of United States naval commanders and the consular officers of foreign countries, and to state, in reply, that the matter has been referred to the Secretary of the Navy, with a request that he would take into consideration the expediency of adopting proper measures for the establishment of reciprocal courtesies between the respective grades of the two countries.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

F. W. SEWARD, Acting Secretary.

Anson Burlingame, Esq., &c., &c., &c.