George P. Marsh to William Hunter, June 10, 1865

Mr. Marsh to Mr. Hunter

Sir: On the receipt of the three proclamations of the President of the United States, dated April 11, 1865, relating, respectively, to the treatment of vessels-of-war of the United States by foreign powers, in the ports and waters of such powers, to the closing of certain ports of the United States, and to the port of Key West, I enclosed copies of them all to the minister of foreign affairs, with a note, a copy of which, marked A, is hereto annexed.

On the 29th of May I addressed to the minister a note, of which a copy, marked B, is hereto annexed, together with a copy of the proclamation therein referred to.

I have received from the minister two notes, dated June 6th and June 9th, translations of which, marked, respectively, C and D, are annexed.

I shall go to Turin to-day, partly for reasons of personal convenience, and partly to finish the draught of the treaty which I am authorized to negotiate with this kingdom. The library and archives of the legation still remaining at Turin, I can perform this labor much more conveniently at that city than at this, and I hope to complete it in a few days.

It is now announced that the archives and offices of the Italian parliament will remain at the old capital for some weeks, or even months longer, and, as the expected dissolution of the national legislature has not yet taken place, it is suggested that a new session may be convoked at Turin for the purpose of sanctioning a convention with Rome, or, possibly, of acting on the question of furnishing an Italian contingent to the French army of occupation in Mexico. The latter supposition is less probable than it seemed a few days since; but the present chambers would go with France and the Italian ministry on either point. The next parliament may prove less pliable.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,