Mr. Seward to M. Berthemy
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 27th instant, in relation to an international conference proposed to be held at Paris on the 17th of next month, for the purpose of an interchange of views and discussion of principles, with a view to ulterior negotiations upon the subject of a uniform system of coinage. You express on the part of the imperial government a wish to receive early information of the name of the delegate who will be selected to represent the United States at the conference.
In reply I have the honor to inform you that the honorable Samuel B. Buggies, who is now in Paris in the character of a scientific commissioner of the United States to the Universal Exhibition, and who is familiar with the views of this government, has been specially authorized to represent it on the occasion to the extent and in the spirit indicated in your note.
General Dix, the minister of the United States at Paris, has been requested to confer and co-operate with Mr. Ruggles to such a degree as may be convenient or necessary.
Appreciating the courtesy of the imperial government in notifying that of the United States of the proposed conference, I beg you to accept, sir, a renewed assurance of my highest consideration.
M. Berthemy, &c., &c., &c.