Norman B. Judd to Alfred von Schleinitz, July 11, 1861

Exhibit No. 1.

Monsieur le Baron: The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, has the honor herewith to present the memoranda referred to in our conversation of yesterday, it being simply a statement of the articles of the declaration adopted by the congress assembled at Paris, April 16, 1856.

While the President has instructed the undersigned to present and assent to a convention in terms substantially that of the congress at Paris, the President, nevertheless, desires the undersigned to submit to the government of his Majesty the King of Prussia how just and eminently desirable for the good of all nations he considers it that the property and effects of private individuals, not contraband of war, should be exempt from seizure and confiscation by national vessels in time of maritime war, although belonging to the citizens and subjects of the belligerent States; and in view of this fact, the undersigned begs leave to state to your excellency that he feels authorized and prepared to so modify the propositions he has the honor herewith to submit as to embrace the principle above stated, if it should meet the views and be deemed desirable by the government of his Majesty the King of Prussia.

The undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to assure your excellency of his high and distinguished consideration.