John Bigelow to William H. Seward, April 28, 1866

Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward

Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a note, this day received from the minister of foreign affairs, in further reply to my last communication to him in reference to the arrest and imprisonment of Francis Pierre. Though his reply is far from satisfactory, I shall consider the correspondence closed, unless another case of a similar character is reported to me, which I think is not very likely to occur. In a conversation with Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys upon the subject, a few days since, he said he would give orders to have the inquiry into the genuineness of passports and papers henceforth made more promptly. Meantime if naturalized citizens of the United States, liable to conscription in Europe but for their naturalization, could be notified in some way to go at once, upon their arrival in France, and report at the maire of the district in which their names are enrolled, producing their evidences of nationality, and ask to have their names erased from the conscription list, it would then probably be their own fault if they experience any of the rigors of which Pierre complained.

I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,