Jules Fayre to Washburne, September 8, 1870

M. Jules Favre to Mr. E. B. Washburne.

Sir: I look upon it as a happy augury for the French republic that it has received as its first diplomatic support the recognition of the Government of the United States. No one can better remind us in words, both just and noble, of the inappreciable benefits of a republican government than the representative of a people which has given to the world the salutary example of absolute liberty.

You have founded your wise and powerful institutions upon independence and upon civic virtue, and notwithstanding the terrible trials sustained by you, you have preserved with an unshaken firmness your faith in that grand principle of liberty, from which naturally spring dignity, morality, and prosperity.

Nations, masters of their own destinies, should strive to follow in your footsteps. They cannot be truly free unless they are devoted, fearless, moderate; taking for their watchword the love of labor and respect for the right of all. This is the programme of the new-born government of France, springing from the painful crisis provoked by the follies of despotism, but at the hour of its birth it can have no other thought than to save the country from the enemy. Here, too, it meets the example of your courage and your perseverance.

You have sustained a gigantic contest, and you have conquered. Strong in the justice of our cause, rejecting all lust of conquest, desiring only our independence and our liberty, we have firm hope of success. In the accomplishment of this task we count on the aid of all men of heart, and of all governments interested in the triumph of peace. The adhesion of the Cabinet of Washington would alone give us this confidence. The members of the government beg me to communicate to you all their gratitude for it, and to request you to transmit its expression to your Government.

For my part I am happy and proud that fortune has permitted me to be the link of union between two peoples bound together by so many glorious memories, and henceforward by so many noble hopes, and I thank you for having, with so great kindness toward myself, expressed all which I feel toward you, as well as my desire to strengthen more and more the relations of affectionate esteem which should unite us forever.

Accept the assurances of the high consideration with which I have the honor to be, sir, your humble and obedient servant,