Sir F. Bruce to Mr. Seward
Sir: With reference to my note of the 30th of December, 1865, and to your reply of the 16th of February of last year, on the expediency of arriving at a common understanding as to the expense of maintaining foreign lunatics in asylums, I am instructed by her Majesty’s government to inform you that from the answers received it appears that a general agreement on the subject cannot be arrived at.
Under these circumstances they are of opinion that there is no other alternative than that of dealing with such cases as they arise.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
The Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.