Mr. Dayton to Mr.
Seward
No. 282.]
Paris,
March 5, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose you herewith a
translation of a communication received from the foreign office, and
which relates to matter contained in your despatch No. 227, of September
30th last.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
His Excellency William H. Seward, Secretary of
State, &c.
[Translation.]
Monsieur the minister of the United States, by order of his
government, communicated to Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys, in the month of
November last, a despatch from the Secretary of State, of
Washington, relative to the facilities which foreign governments
might, under the present circumstances, find for recruiting for
their colonies willing workmen amongst the great number of blacks
who reside in a state of liberty upon the federal territory. The
minister of foreign affairs of the Emperor has been obliged, before
thinking of following up the overtures which were addressed to him
upon this occasion, to demand of the legation of his Majesty at
Washington certain indispensable information upon different points
of detail connected with this question. Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys,
consequently, is not able to give to Mr. Dayton the answer which he
has expressed the desire of obtaining so long as this expected
information shall not be transmitted by Mr. Mercier, and he can only
confine himself, therefore, for the present, to making known to him
this circumstance.
