John Bigelow to Monsteur Drouyn de Lhuys, January 5, 1866

Mr. Bigelow to Mr. De Lhuys

Sir: I have great pleasure in transmitting to your excellency a proclamation issued by order of President Johnson, on the 18th of December last, which announces the final extinction of slavery throughout the territory of the United States.

The past history of France, as well as my personal observation during a residence of some years among the French people, authorizes me to presume that neither they nor their government can be indifferent to an event which works such an important improvement in the social and political condition of several millions of our fellow-creatures.

I profit by this occasion to renew to your excellency the assurance of the very high consideration, with which I have the honor to be, your excellency’s very obedient and very humble servant,