Elihu B. Washburne to Jules Favre, September 9, 1870
Mr. E. B. Washburne to Mr. Fish.
Sir: * * * * * * *
I telegraphed you of the results and condition of things here on Monday, and asked for instructions, though not doubting what would be the prompt action of our Government. I received replies from Mr. Davis Wednesday morning. It was only Tuesday night that I received the official notice from M. Jules Favre of the change of the government, and advising me that the department of foreign affairs had been confided to him. The next morning (Wednesday) I sent a verbal message to the Foreign Office to ascertain when it would be agreeable for the minister to receive me, as I had an important communication to make from my Government. I received a reply that the minister would see me at any time between 2 and 6 o’clock in the afternoon. In the mean time I prepared the letter to M. Jules Favre which I send herewith, marked No. 1, and at 2.30 p. m., accompanied by the first secretary of legation, Colonel Wickham Hoffman, I took it in person to him. He received us with the utmost cordiality. After reading my letter he shook me very warmly by the hand, and thanked me for the communication, saying he would be very glad if I would telegraph to my Government to express his gratitude and profound emotions. He then briefly explained the situation in which the government of the national defense found itself. He said that he was aware that the United States had hitherto refrained from taking any part whatever in the complications of European governments; however, he did not know, but, under present circumstances, it might feel like tendering its good offices, and he wished to know if I should feel myself at liberty to take any action in that direction. I replied that I should not feel authorized to act in so grave a crisis without instructions from my Government, particularly as I could advise with it on the subject by telegraph. On my return to the legation I telegraphed to you as follows, part of the dispatch being in cipher:
Paris, September 7, 1870.
Have recognized republic. Favre expressed gratitude and profound emotion. Requests United States to join other powers in intervention for peace. Hopes I may be instructed immediately.
About 2 o’clock p. m. yesterday M. Jules Favre called upon me in person to thank my Government in the name of that of the national defense, as well as in his own behalf, for its prompt recognition of the republic and the tender of its felicitations. He again desired that I should transmit to the President and Cabinet at Washington the profound acknowledgments of the government of the national defense. I then communicated the dispatch of Mr. Davis in relation to his conversation with M. Berthemy, which I had just received. M. Favre smiled at the allusion to the attempt of the Emperor to found a monarchy on the southern borders, and replied that nothing could be more satisfactory than Mr. Davis’s telegram; it was all they could desire. He then said he had answered my letter of the day before, and that it could be sent to me in the course of the afternoon. It was duly received, and I have the honor to send herewith a copy of if in the original French, together with a translation thereof.