Bancroft to Hamilton Fish, August 2, 1870

Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I inclose a copy of the circular letter of Count Bismarck relating to the Benedetti project of a treaty. It is in every respect one of the most important State papers of our time. * * *

The British government has undertaken in Berlin the protection of the French in Germany, and to keep matters even, would have very gladly undertaken the protection of the Germans in France, but Count Bismarck refused to allow this, and by turning over the office to our Government called the United States visibly into the circle of first-class powers. The act of yourself and the President in accepting this protection is, I will not say a new era in European politics, but a new incident, which has been received with acclamation. * * *