Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward
Sir: The Moniteur announced on Saturday last that the Marquis de Montholon was to be replaced at Washington by Mr. Berthemy, the late envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of France in China.
Mr. Berthemy was secretary of legation under M. Thouvenel, at Constantinople, and subsequently his chief secretary when he was named minister of foreign affairs. His first and the only full mission he has filled was that to China.
The Marquis de Moustier mentioned this change to me on Thursday last, but as he had not yet announced it to the Marquis de Montholon, he requested me not to mention it in my correspondence of that week. He spoke of Mr. Berthemy as a young man, and one who had no fixed opinions or prejudices in regard to the United States. He is now in Paris, in congé, but I have not yet met him.
I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D.C.