Hume Burnley to William H. Seward, March 20, 1865

Mr. Burnley to Mr. Seward

Sir: The present position of British subjects at Charleston, as reported to me by her Majesty’s acting consul at that port, causes me very great anxiety. You will perceive by the enclosed copies of despatches from Mr. Walker, and of his correspondence with Colonel Woodford, the dilemma in which they are placed, by having either to take an oath of allegiance to the United States before they can resume their peaceable occupations, or leave the place altogether. Mr. Walker encloses an analysis of the register, for the purpose of showing the occupations of the several persons registered, and estimates the whole British population at fifteen hundred.

To require that all these people, some, of course, without the means of leaving the place, should summarily depart or take the oath required, seems to me unnecessary, making every allowance for the difficulties on a first occupation of the town, and I would venture to suggest, whether some intermediate measure might not be adopted which might allow those who are peaceably and friendly disposed to pursue their avocations, without the necessity of expulsion. Such a measure would show that the United States government was not actuated by any peculiar animus against British subjects, but are acting merely from a desire to discriminate between the friend and the foe.

Requesting the original affidavits to be returned to me, I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,