William H. Seward to J. Hume Burnley, April 8, 1865

Mr. F. W. Seward to Mr. Burnley

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 5th instant, in which, in conformity with instructions you have received from her Majesty’s government, you express a hope that no obstacle will be interposed to prevent British subjects from establishing their just claim to that portion of the cotton captured at Savannah alleged to be their property. In reply, I have the honor to state that, so far from desiring any interposition of the character referred to, the United States government has sought to give to all such claims as full a hearing and as just a consideration as, under similar circumstances, they would expect to be accorded to like claims of its own citizens.

I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your obedient servant,