Mr. Pennington to Mr. Seward
No. 7.]
Legation of the United States,
Paris,
December 20, 1864.
Sir: Upon the receipt of your despatch No. 708,
requesting this legation to forward to your department a copy of a late
treaty between France and Japan, a communication was addressed to Mr.
Drouyn de Lhuys with a view to complying with the request.
An answer has just been received, stating in substance that there has
been no late treaty entered into between France and Japan, although the
subject was discussed when the Japanese ambassadors were in Paris.
I herewith enclose a translation of Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys’ answer.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
&c., &c., &c.
[Translation.]
Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys to Mr. Pennington
Paris,
December 19, 1864.
Sir: At the time the envoys of the Tycoon
were in Paris, preliminary discuss ons (pour parlers) took place, in
effect, with them, upon the subject of the pending questions, but
these preliminary discussions have had no result. The events which
have just taken place in Japan, and in which your government has
participated, have created for all a completely new situation, the
development of which, it seems to me, we can but wait.
Receive, sir, the assurances of the most distinguished consideration
with which I have the honor to be, your very humble and very
obedient servant,
W. S. Pennington, Esq., Chargéd Affaires of the United States,
&c., Paris.
