William H, Seward to J. Hume Burnley, December 29, 1864

Mr. Seward to Mr. Burnley

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge, with sincere gratification, the receipt of your note of the 24th, which is accompanied by a copy of a despatch of the 17th instant, addressed to you by his excellency the governor general of Canada, in which, with reference to the case of the steamer Georgian, it is stated that the Canadian government is fully alive to the importance of preventing the formation of any plans hostile to the United States on British soil, and that it has taken stringent measures to that end, both of a civil and military character.

I beg you to convey to his excellency an expression of the high appreciation entertained by this government of the friendly spirit which he has manifested, and of the judicious measures which he has adopted, with a view to the preservation of the neutrality of her Majesty’s provinces.

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