E. B. Washburne stands for Elihu Benjamin Washburne to Count de Bismarck, February 27, 1871

Mr. Washburne to Count de Bismarck

Sir: In view of the official announcement that a certain number of the German troops are to enter Paris on Wednesday next, to remain for some time, and of the fact that the part of the city in which they are to be quartered contains a very great number of apartments of American citizens, and a large amount of American property, I beg leave to call the attention of your excellency to the correspondence upon this subject between Mr. de Thile and Mr. Bancroft. I have the honor to inclose a copy of Mr. de Thile’s letter in reply to Mr. Bancroft, who had applied on behalf of my Government to have American property in Paris respected in case of the entry of the German troops.

As fear has been expressed by some of my countrymen that German soldiers might be quartered in their apartments, I have thought proper to call your attention to this subject, to the end that such action may be taken by the North German military authorities as would carryout the purposes expressed by Mr. de Thile. The proprietors of nearly all the American property in Paris have been provided by me with protection papers and authorized to display the American flag.

I take this opportunity, &c.,