[Translation.], May 16, 1866.

[Translation.]

In the interest, strictly humanitarian, of mitigating as much as possible the evils of war, deliberations were bad at Geneva, in 1864, by delegates from a number of European and transatlantic states on the question of learning how the condition of wounded soldiers of armies actually in the field could be ameliorated in a lasting manner. As the final result of those deliberations we must regard the convention of Geneva, of April 22, 1864, which the Swiss federal council, to which the direction of affairs in relation to it had been confided, has had the honor to bring to the knowledge of the governments of the states interested therein, under date of November 14, 1864, while the greater portion of those states have since taken occasion to announce their adhesion, in the manner hoped for, to the convention above mentioned.

It would, however, be idle to dissemble the desire that the acceptance of the convention should be as general as possible, considering that it cannot be misunderstood as the expression of a grand reception, and that it appears also practicable in execution without any notable difficulty.

The federal council, therefore, believes that it satisfies its own want, as also that of committees existent in various countries for the progress of this philanthropic convention, in permitting itself respectfully to inquire if the minister of foreign affairs of the United States of America might not yet be induced to give a supplemental adherence to the convention of Geneva of August 22, 1864.

The federal council seizes with eagerness this occasion to renew to Mr. G. Harrington the assurances of its high consideration.

In the name of the federal council: