No. 101.
Mr. Davis to Mr. Berthemy.
Sir: The undersigned, Acting Secretary of State, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the note of the 3d instant of M. Berthemy, the envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of his Majesty the Emperor of the French, informing this Government that war has been declared by his Imperial Majesty against Prussia and the allied powers who lend to it the aid of their arms against France; and stating the rules of international law which will be observed by France toward all the powers which remain neutral.
The undersigned is directed by the President to express to the Government of his Majesty the Emperor the satisfaction with which this Government learns that these principles for which the United States have ever contended, and most of which were long since embodied in treaties between the United States and France, are to receive a further sanction by the observance of them in the present war.
The undersigned is further directed to state to Mr. Berthemy that during this contest the United States will observe the strictest neutrality toward each and all the belligerents. The laws of the United States and the law of nations, as expounded by the judicial and political authorities of this country, are believed to be sufficient to prevent any persons from attempting to infringe or compromit that neutrality by participating in the contest in which two of the great powers of Europe are now unhappily engaged. The United States, on the other hand, will expect that their full rights as a neutral will be scrupulously respected.
The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to Mr. Berthemy the assurance of his very high consideration.
M. Berthemy, &c., &c., &c.