File No. 763.72111So4/26
The British Ambassador (Spring Rice) to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I beg to inform you, with reference to Mr. Barclay’s letter of September 30 last, that I have received a despatch from Viscount Grey stating that he has been in communication with the competent departments of His Majesty’s Government in regard to your request that they should take steps to prevent, after September 26, the passage of wounded and discharged British soldiers through the United States to Canada.
Viscount Grey authorises me to inform you that His Majesty’s Government will endeavour to meet the wishes of the Department of [Page 707] State in the matter, but they hold that the passage of such soldiers through the United States was perfectly legitimate so long as it was not formally and publicly prohibited by the United States Government.
Believe me [etc.]