Mr. Seward to Mr. Burlingame
Sir: Congress having omitted to provide for an appropriation of the surplus of the Chinese indemnity fund, the last account of which accompanied your No. Ill, written at Peking, without date, it is not deemed expedient longer to allow it to remain on deposit in the Oriental Bank of Hong-Kong. It is probable, therefore, that the department will soon draw on you for that surplus, which is deposited subject to your order.
This despatch is written in advance of any such draft, in order that you may be prepared to cause the same to be honored.’
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Anson Burlingame, Esq, &c., &c., &c.