FLAVIUS CHIGI, Archbishop of Myre , Apostolic Nuncio to LOUVRER, Canon Penitentiary of the Diocese of Paris, April 18, 1871

Archbishop Chigi to Mr. Washburne

Sir and my dear colleague: Permit me to request you confidentially to receive kindly the four ecclesiastical canons of the Metropolitan Church of Paris, who come to beg your protection in favor of their archbishop, imprisoned by the insurgents at Paris. Permit me to join my prayers to those of these good canons, and to assure you of my great gratitude for all that you think you can do to endeavor, at least, to obtain that the life of Monseigneur Darboy shall run no danger.

Receive, &c., &c.,

Sir: The sad events which are passing in Paris have not failed to attract the attention of your excellency. Among other deplorable excesses to which civil war has given birth in this unhappy city, the arrest of monseigneur the archbishop, and of the principal members of his clergy, has been particularly remarked by the different representatives of the powers friendly to France. Relying upon this friendship and on the good relations which exist between the governments of the United States of America and our country, we, canons and members of the Metropolitan Chapter of the church of Paris, who have been able to meet together, take the liberty to beg your excellency to have the goodness to interpose your good offices, in such manner as you shall judge best, to obtain the deliverance of our archbishop as soon as possible; that the cause of humanity and of civilization may cease to suffer in his person, doubly respectable by his dignity and his merits—one of the greatest injuries it has ever received.

No political object being connected with this step, and placing ourselves solely on the ground of the laws of nations, and of the sympathy which so undeserved a treatment cannot fail to inspire, we dare to hope that your excellency will receive our movement favorably, and that you will do in this connection all that we could desire.

In this hope and this confidence, we have the honor to be. &c., &c., &c.,