ALLAN McLANE, President to William H. Seward, November 29, 1865

Mr. McLane to Mr. Seward

Sir: I beg leave, respectfully, to refer to your letter of October 6, 1864, in which, refer ring to the 20th article of the postal convention between the United States and Great Britain of December 15, 1848, relative to protection to mail steamers of both nations in case of war, you state that no provision of a similar character has been adopted with France, and in your letter of October 13, 1864, you stated that “the subject will receive the consideration from this department to which it is justly entitled.”

For the information of this company, permit me now to inquire whether such protection has been agreed to between the United States and France?

Very respectfully yours,