J. Kilpatrick to the Chargé d’affaires of France, March 27, 1866

Mr. Kilpatrick to the Chargé d’ Affaires of France.

Sir: In the present grave circumstances you may probably deem it a cause of regret that no naval force of your nation is present to protect the material interests of your country— interests whose prosperity, under the auspices of your emperor, proves how much he has the welfare of his people at heart. We have, accidentally, here a naval force, which it is my duty and my pleasure to offer, in the name of my country, (whose voice I am sure I echo,) for the protection of your citizens, in recognition of the debt of gratitude which the United States owes to France, who, when we were young and weak, generously stepped forth to aid us. With our country still suffering from recent wounds, the officer commanding the naval forces of the United States in this port concurs with me that your voice and that of your able colleague from England, as representing the largest European interests, are necessary to justify us in departing from the strict letter of our instructions to preserve neutrality.

I have the honor to be, sir, with the highest consideration, your obedient servant,