Mr. Geofroy to Mr. Seward
Sir: Upon the initiative taken by some honored citizens of the Swiss Confederation, particularly by General Dufour and Mr. Henri Dunant, an international conference was held at Geneva in the month of October last for the purpose of finding means to meet the insufficiency of the sanitary service in armies in the field. The larger number of foreign governments were there represented by delegates, and resolutions were adopted for carrying into effect the generous thought.
Encouraged by these first results, the Genevese committee of aid for wounded soldiers has expressed the wish that an international congress, at which all governments should be invited to take part, could assemble to examine the resolutions of that conference, and to change them, if there was room for it, into a diplomatic arrangement.
The Swiss federal council has thought it ought to become the interpreter of this wish by addressing to all the foreign states official invitations for the assemblage at Geneva of a general congress, the opening of which should be fixed for the 8th of August next; and knowing, besides, the lively interest which the Emperor takes in this work of humanity, it has expressed the desire that its measures should be sustained by his Majesty’s government. The Emperor has, in effect, shown from the beginning all the sympathy with the project which the federal council now seeks to realize, and has willingly declared himself ready to second the efforts of the promoters of an enterprise called to render such useful service to armies in the field, and to soften the evils inseparable from war. I am therefore authorized, sir, to make known this sentiment to the government of the United States, and to testify to it the satisfaction his Majesty would experience to see the acceptance by it of the propositions of the federal council. The delegates of the government of the Emperor to the international [Page 228] congress of Geneva will be Mr. Tagerschmidt, sub-director in the department of foreign affairs; de Preval, sub-military intendant; and Boudier, principal physician.
Accept, sir, the assurance of my high consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.