Mejan to H. Mercier , Envoy Ex. and Min. Plenipo. of France in the United States, Washington, August 8, 1862
Viscount Treilhard to Mr. Seward.
The Viscount Treilhard presents his compliments to Mr. Seward, and has the honor to communicate to him the papers, hereunto annexed, referring to a Frenchman whose funds are held in custody in consequence of a conflict of authority between Mr. Reverdy Johnson and General Butler.
Statement of Edward Dupasseur.
Edward Dupasseur, one of the claimants, makes the following statement, under oath, to be submitted to the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, commissioner of the United States:
On the 21st day of April last I sold to the Citizens’ Bank the following drafts, viz:
| Francs. | Francs. | |
| On Ad. Marcuard & Co., Paris | 280,000 | |
| 260,000 | ||
| 240,000 | ||
| 220,000 | ||
| 1,000,000 | ||
| On B. Fould & Co., Paris | 280,000 | |
| 260,000 | ||
| 240,000 | ||
| 220,000 | ||
| 1,000,000 | ||
| On Thélier & Henrotte, Paris | 280,000 | |
| 260,000 | ||
| 240,000 | ||
| 220,000 | ||
| 1,000,000 | ||
| On Dupasseur, Lecog, Frères & Co., Paris | 300,000 | |
| 280,000 | ||
| 580,980 | ||
| Amounting, all together | 3,580,980 |
Three millions five hundred eighty thousand nine hundred and eighty francs, producing at the rate of exchange of five francs the dollar, seven hundred sixteen thousand one hundred and ninety-six dollars, payable in specie, which I received in payment from the bank as follows:
| 5,480 Mexican doubloons | $85,488 |
| 800 South American doubloons | 12,320 |
| Sovereigns, 20 franc pieces, 10 guilders | 3,388 |
| American gold | 95,000 |
| Silver dollars | 520,000 |
| 716,196 |
Being a French subject, I deposited said coin at the office of the French consul for safe keeping, and had the invoice made to me by the bank, sworn as French property.
The drafts I gave to the bank were drawn at four months’ sight, and by special agreement were not to be accepted until this coin was shipped, so as to give me ample time to pay the same out of the proceeds of the coin. The operation was purely a commercial one and perfectly safe and sound for me. I expected, and still expect, when the coin is shipped, to make three to four per cent., depending, in great measure, on the price of silver in Europe at the time of the arrival of this specie.
The operation, as regards to the bank, was equally advantageous: firstly, in placing their coin in Europe; secondly, in giving at the rate of exchange of this, say a handsome profit, from ten to twelve per cent., while liquidating, in the same time, their liabilities.
I do further swear and declare that I have never been running the blockade or making any description of contract whatever with the confederate government, or any of its officers, for the purpose of supplying it with arms or ammunitions of war. On the contrary, I have always maintained a perfect neutrality, as I was bound to do as a French subject.
I remain, very respectfully, pour copie conforme,