Mr. Seward to Mr. Geofroy
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 20th ultimo, in regard to an international congress proposed by the Swiss federal council, and seconded by the government of the Emperor, with a view to finding means to improve the sanitary service in armies in the field.
You do me the honor to inform me that his Imperial Majesty has, from the beginning, shown all the sympathy with this project which the federal council now seeks to realize, and that you are authorized to testify to the satisfaction his Majesty would experience in seeing the acceptance, by this government, of the proposition of the federal council for the nomination of delegates on the part of the United States to attend the congress.
I have the honor, in reply, to request you to convey to the government of the Emperor the thanks of that of the United States for the invitation to take part in an enterprise so beneficent in its purpose; and I beg you to inform them, at the same time, that I have caused proper steps to be taken in regard to the matter through the United States minister at Berne.
Accept, sir, a renewed assurance of my high consideration.
Mr. L. de Geofroy, &c., &c., &c.