George Bancroft to Cecil Henry Petre, December 12, 1871

Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Petre.

The limit of time allowed by the Treaty of Washington of May 16, 1871, for presenting the Case of the United States on the disputed boundary question which has been referred to the German Emperor for arbitration, being close at hand, the undersigned is constrained this day, through His Serene Highness Prince Bismarck, Chancellor of the German Empire, to lay before His Majesty the German Emperor the printed Case of the United States, accompanied by the evidence offered in support of the same.

In conformity with the Treaty of Washington, ratified June 17, 1871, the undersigned has the honor likewise to communicate a copy of the Case and evidence to the Hon. Mr. Petre, as the representative of Her Britannic Majesty at Berlin.

It will give the undersigned great satisfaction to join with the representative of Her Britannic Majesty in bringing this long-contested question to a decision at the earliest possible moment. The undersigned gladly seizes this opportunity of renewing to Mr. Petre, Her Britannic Majesty’s representative at Berlin, his assurances of highest respect and consideration.