Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward
No. 238.]
Legation of the United States,
Paris,
January 10, 1866.
Sir: I deemed the proclamation of the 18th of
December, announcing the termination of slavery in the United States,
marked an event of such importance, in the social and political history
of the world, as to justify me in bringing it formally to the notice of
the Emperor’s government.
[Page 272]
I accordingly addressed to Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys the note, a copy of which
and of his reply are enclosed.
I am, sir, with great respect, your very obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State Washington, D. C.
Mr. Bigelow to Mr. De Lhuys
Legation of the United
States, Paris,
January 5, 1866.
Sir: I have great pleasure in transmitting
to your excellency a proclamation issued by order of President
Johnson, on the 18th of December last, which announces the final
extinction of slavery throughout the territory of the United
States.
The past history of France, as well as my personal observation during
a residence of some years among the French people, authorizes me to
presume that neither they nor their government can be indifferent to
an event which works such an important improvement in the social and
political condition of several millions of our fellow-creatures.
I profit by this occasion to renew to your excellency the assurance
of the very high consideration, with which I have the honor to be,
your excellency’s very obedient and very humble servant,
His Excellency Monsteur Drouyn de
Lhuys, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Paris.
[Translation.]
Mr. de Lhuys to Mr. Bigelow
Sir: You have had the kindness to
communicate to me the proclamation by which President Johnson has
definitely given his official sanction to the amendment to the
Constitution of the United States relative to the abolition of
slavery over the whole extent of the federal territory.
You have justly thought, sir, that neither the government of the
Emperor nor public opinion could view with indifference a measure
destined to ameliorate the moral and material condition of several
millions of human beings. We ourselves, several years ago, took the
initiative in the suppression of slavery in our colonies. We,
therefore, cannot but applaud the generous sentiment which has
suggested to your government a measure so in harmony with the
general progress of humanity.
Accept the assurances of the high consideration with which I have the
honor to be, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant,
Mr. Bigelow, Minister
of the United States at Paris.
