E. B. Washburne stands for Elihu Benjamin Washburne to Archbishop Chigi, April 24, 1871
Mr. Washburne to Archbishop Chigi
My dear colleague: I came into Paris Saturday night, and that very evening I arranged to meet one of the head men of the commune yesterday morning, at 9 o’clock. I cannot do better than to send you an account of what was done, which I have written to my Government. I send you, therefore, inclosed herewith, and confidentially, a copy of a dispatch I sent to Washington last night. After reading my dispatch I will thank you to inclose it to me, No. 7 rue de Mademoiselle, Versailles. I inclose herewith also a letter from the archbishop to the Abbé Lagarde. I shall hope to see you further in regard to the archbishop when I shall next be at Versailles.
Very truly, &c.,
Archbishop Darboy to Mr. Washburne
I beg the minister of the United States to accept my thanks for the kind visit he has had the goodness to make me in my prison, and to send the inclosed letter to its destination by his secretary, who is going to Versailles.
The address of the person to whom it is written will be found through his excellency the apostolic nuncio, or the bishop of Versailles. If the person to whom the letter is addressed has already started for Paris, the secretary of the minister can destroy it, or bring it back on his return to Paris.
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Sir and dear colleague: Truly I do not know how to thank you for all that you have had the kindness to do to aid the worthy archbishop of Paris. You have done more than I could have hoped, notwithstanding the confidence with which I was inspired, knowing the sentiments of humanity and of pity of your heart, and the generous nation you represent so worthily in France; and I am sure that the steps you will take with the men into whose hands lies the fate of Mr. Darboy, will not fail to produce the most favorable result which it is possible to hope for under present circumstances.
I have read with great interest, and with sentiments of profound gratitude towards yourself, sir, the despatches you have had the kindness to communicate to me in confidence and with reservation, and I hasten to send them back herewith, with all my thanks to the legation of the United States at Versailles, according to the direction in your honored letter of yesterday.
Colonel Hoffman has informed me that you will soon be at Versailles, and I have begged him to inform me of your arrival, that I may, without delay, call to express to you all my gratitude and my respect.
In the meantime, please accept, for the present, the renewed assurance of my sentiments of gratitude, and of the distinguished and affectionate consideration with, which I am, &c.,