Benjamin Moran to [Sent at 4 p. m., January 25, 1871.], January 26, 1871

Mr. Moran to Mr. Fish

Sir: I have the honor to state that on the 22d instant I received your telegram of the preceding day instructing me to inform Mr. Washburne by the first opportunity that the United States steamer Shenandoah, now at Havre, would receive orders to be at his disposal on the surrender of Paris to convey him to Bordeaux; and yesterday morning I received your telegram of the 24th instant, instructing me to get from Mr. Stevens the dispatch of the Secretary of the Navy to Captain Wells and send it to Mr. Washburne.

I at once sought an interview with His Excellency Count Bernstorff, and learned from him that he would cheerfully transmit a small parcel for me to Paris by a special courier who would leave London for Versailles in the evening. I accordingly wrote a note to Mr. Washburne, incorporating in it copies of your above-mentioned telegrams, and inclosed to him the dispatch of the Secretary of the Navy to Captain Wells, as well as the dispatches received from you for him by Mr. Stevens since Friday last.

The Prussian courier left this place for Versailles last evening about 8 o’clock, and I am encouraged to hope that Mr. Washburne will receive your telegraphic messages, placing the Shenandoah at his disposal, and the various dispatches which I sent with them, in a very few days.

I had the honor to telegraph to you yesterday a brief report of my action on the subject, in fulfillment of your instructions, and I now beg to inclose herewith copies of your telegrams to me, of my note to Mr. Washburne, and of my cable message to you.

I have, &c.,