Guizot to Bigelow, January 7, 1866

Mr. Guizot to Mr. Bigelow

Sir: I received the letter you did me the honor to address to me the 4th instant, communicating a copy of a proclamation published the 18^th of December last by order of the President of the United States, in virtue of which the rank and rights of freemen are conferred upon all who, at that time, were slaves within the territory of the United States.

In the feeling of profound joy with which this communication inspires me, I am compelled to congratulate the people of the United States and its government upon having been the chosen instrument of God to make the holy cause of the higher law of humanity to triumph. Whatever may be the difficulties and the trials which this measure may yet impose upon your country, the accompilshment of such a work is the greatest glory which a generation of men in their passage over the earth can achieve, and the greatest blessing it can leave to the generation to come. We are permitted to hope that the example given by Christian nations will become the public law of the world.

You are right in supposing that the society to which I have the honor to belong will surely congratulate itself that the first year of its existence has been signalized by an event at once so grand and so salutary.

Accept, sir, the assurance of my entire consideration and of my most distinguished sentiments.