Office of the Historian

Mr. Canisius to Mr. Seward.

No. 22.]
Consulate of the U. S. of America at Vienna, September 17, 1862.

Sir: * * * * * * * * * * * *

After the capture of Garibaldi I addressed the following letter to the great leader of the Union party of Italy:

Vienna, September 1, 1862.

General: As you have failed for the present to accomplish the great and patriotic work you lately undertook in the interest of your beloved fatherland, I take the liberty to address myself to you to ascertain whether it would not be against your present plans to lend us a helping hand in our present struggle to preserve the liberty and unity of our great republic.

The battle we fight is one which not only interests ourselves, but also the whole civilized world.

The welcome and enthusiasm with which you will be received in our land, where you once lived, will be boundless, and your position to lead our brave soldiers into battle, to strike for the same principle for which you have fought so nobly during your whole life, will be such as you may desire. I would be happy, general, to receive a reply from you if possible. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, &c.,

THEODORE CANISIUS, United States Consul.

General Garibaldi, Spezzia, Italy.

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To this General Garibaldi replied as follows:

Varignana, September 14, 1862.

Sir: I am a prisoner and dangerously wounded, therefore it is impossible for me to dispose of myself.

I believe, however, that when my imprisonment shall cease, and my wound heal, the favorable opportunity shall have come in which I will be able to satisfy my desire to serve the great American republic, of which I am a citizen, and which to-day fights for the universal freedom.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

G. GARIBALDI.

Theodore Canisius, United States Consul at Vienna.

I received the above letter on the morning of the 18th of September, and hasten to report the above to you without delay.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, &c.,

T. CANISIUS, United States Consul.

Hon. W. H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.