William H. Seward to Gerolt, March 25, 1867

Mr. Seward to Baron Von Gerolt

Baron: With reference to your note of the 11th instant, upon the subject of the “Concession Française” at Shanghai, I have the honor to state that, for the present at least, the government of the United States will sanction the ground taken by its consul general at Shanghai. But while we do this we shall refer the subject to our minister at Peking for a conference there with the representatives of other western powers. In order that your government may more clearly understand the views of this government upon the matter and the proceedings in relation to it, which have been adopted, I transmit a copy of an instruction of this date addressed to the minister of the United States at Peking. I invite a full explanation of the views of Prussia before making a definitive disposition of the subject.

I avail myself of this occasion to assure you of my highest consideration.