Nicholas Fish to Von Bülow, July 27, 1874

Mr. Nicholas Fish to Mr. von Bülow.

The undersigned, chargé d’affaires of the United States of America, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the note of his excellency Mr. von Bulow, secretary of state for foreign affairs, of the 25th instant, and he finds from the archives of the legation that the note of his excellency of the 24th ultimo was referred by Mr. Bancroft to his Government.

There has not yet been time for a communication in return, and, as the undersigned is without any exact or official knowledge of the case, he has referred the note which he himself received in like manner.

In the mean time the undersigned, sharing as he does most fully the desire expressed by his excellency to see every occasion for a difference of opinion avoided, believes that the views of his Government, which he will have the honor hereafter to transmit, will be conceived in like spirit.

The undersigned feels persuaded that the actual facts in the case, when ascertained, will show that whatever may have been done in the premises by the consular officers of the United States has been done under an order of a court of law of the United States and for the sole object of subserving the cause of truth and justice.

The undersigned gladly avails himself, &c.