MANCOMBLE, Advocate, 11 Rue Lafitte to John Bigelow, November 17, 1865

Mr. Mancomble to Mr. Bigelow

Sir: You have requested of me a memorandum in relation to the affair of the salt-makers, of which I had the honor to speak to you yesterday morning. I hasten to furnish it.

The following are the circumstances under which was deposited in the hands of Mr. Grastet, notary at Montpelier, the sum of 20,000 francs, the delivery of which is now desired by parties interested:

By the terms of an agreement made at Richmond, the 8th of January, 1863, with the general commission of subsistence of the Confederate States of America, Mr. Raymond Thomassy, engineer, engaged to furnish to Captain Grant, engineer, of the Confederate States, the plans, specifications, and instructions necessary to the working of the salt lands situated in Clarke county, Alabama.

He was also to come to Europe and engage for the service of the confederate government five workmen, skilled in the manufacture of salt, and to return with them to the place of the projected works, of which he was to be superintendent.

Mr. Raymond Thomassy came to France and hired four workmen, Clot, Clerc, Marchandon, and Stobiac. To gain the confidence of these workmen, a sum of 20,000 francs was deposited the 8th of April with Mr. Grasset the notary who framed the articles of agreement, who pledged himself not to deliver it to the said workmen except on a certificate from the confederate government that they had fulfilled their obligations.

They set out, and Mr. Thomassy died at Havana, in July, 1863.

After many vicissitudes, the salt-makers returned to France, and they still await the payment of the wages promised them.

In the name of justice and humanity, I will be obliged to you, sir, if you will obtain from your government the authorization which Mr. Grasset desires for the delivery of these funds.

This authorization should be framed in the most simple terms. I submit a form to your judgment:

“I, the undersigned, —— ——, minister of the United States, declare personally that I will not intervene in behalf of my government in the division which may be made among those entitled to it of the sum of 20,000 francs, deposited the 8th of April, 1863, in the office of Mr. Grasset, notary at Montpelier, on account of the salt-makers, Clot, Clerc, Marchandon and Stobiac, and that I will not prosecute nor molest the said notary in the matter of said division.”

I do not doubt, sir, that in your wisdom and justice you will do all in your power to give satisfaction to the claims of our countrymen. And I beg that you will accept in advance the assurance of the profound respect with which I have the honor to be, yours, most devotedly,