Washburne to Count de Bismarck, December 12, 1870

[Untitled]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, in relation to the reception of the London papers at this legation.

I took it for granted that a few numbers of the London papers of an old date could do neither good nor harm to any interest, and hence I permitted them to lie upon my table to be perused by people who were sufficiently interested to come and look over them. But, as some of the Paris journals charge that they are sent to me by the Prussian authorities in the hope that the bad news they contain will discourage the French, and as you consider their reception incompatible with the rules dictated by your military operations, I shall decline receiving any more, and I have this day written to London to have no more sent to me.

It is proper for me to say that I received some London papers in the bag which arrived on Saturday last. They will be seen by no person whatever, excepting myself, and I shall most strictly guard their contents. I hope you will find no objection to my receiving, through the bag, the papers from my own country, with the understanding that they are particularly for my own perusal. I would be very glad if you would instruct Count Bernstoff to consult with Mr. Motley on the subject. I shall write to Mr. Motley not to send me even the American journals without the assent of your government, signified by Count Bernstoff.

The bag arriving on Saturday only reached here the sixteenth day after leaving London, and I am curious to know whether the great delay was on account of the French military authorities refusing to receive it. It ought not really to take more than four or five days for the bag to come from London here, and I wish that hereafter I might receive it within that time.

I have, &c.,