John Lothrop Motley to Hamilton Fish, October 13, 1870

Mr. Motley to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I sent you on the 10th instant a dispatch, partly in cipher, of which the text is as follows. It reached me from Mr. Washburne by what is now called balloon post:

From, Motley, London, to Fish, Secretary of State, Washington City.

I received the following in a letter this morning; it is dated September 30:

“Telegraph Washington that Paris has five hundred thousand troops. Best spirit prevails. People united. Government strong. Desperate resistance.”

I am, sir, your obedient servant,