No. 39.]
Legation of the United States,
Paris,
February28, 1865.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State,
&c., &c., &c.
[Translation.]
Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys to Mr. Bigelow
Sir: I received the letter which you did me
the honor to write me the 31st January last in reference to the
request of M. the Prefect of Bas Rhin, with a view of obtaining the
return to his country of young Castaned, (William Horace.) a native
of Mobile, United States, at present apprentice workman at the
work-house of Grafienstaden.
In informing me that, in accordance with my desire, you will not fail
to communicate this
[Page 233]
request to your government, you add that, “it is your duty at once
to discourage any hope of relief from that quarter, since, though it
is ever ready to succor generously, without regard to nationality,
the destitute residing within the territory of the United States,
except by its example, it does not project its charities beyond its
frontiers.”
Permit me to remark, sir, that these observations do not meet the
purpose of the demand which I had the honor to address to you. It is
not a question of public or private aid that destitute foreigners
(even though they be neither ill nor insane) are sure of finding
upon any point whatever of French territory—aid of which young
Castaned, abandoned by his family and his country for two years
past, has experienced the disadvantage.
The request of M. the Prefect of Bas Rhin has for its special object
the restoration to his country of this young
man, and I do not doubt that the government of the United States,
informed by you of the state of distress in which one of its
citizens finds himself in France, following the example of all other
foreign governments, will at once furnish him with the means to
return to his native country.
Receive, sir, the assurances of the most distinguished consideration
with which I have the honor to be, your very humble and very
obedient servant,
John Bigelow, Esq., Chargé d’Affaires of the United States at Paris.
