No. 135.

Mr. Davis to Mr. Bancroft.

No. 216.]

Sir: On the 13th instant this Department received from Mr. Washburne a telegram relating to the proposed expulsion of Germans from France, and suggesting that Prussia should grant a credit to mitigate the great suffering that would inevitably result.

The same day the substance of this telegram was communicated to you by cable, and the text was read to Baron Gerolt. On the 14th instant the Department received your reply by cable, saying that a credit had been granted, and asking whether Mr. Washburne had protested. To this answer was made to you, on the same day, that Mr. Washburne had already protested. Before the Duke de Gramont left office he had notified Mr. Washburne that this step might become necessary, and Mr. Washburne, in an able paper, (of which a copy will be sent you by a future post,) had protested against the measure.

Mr. Washburne was also notified by cable, on the 14th, of the granting of the credit, and to-day he has, in like manner, been informed that his note to the Duke de Gramont has been fully approved, and he has been instructed to do all he can, consistently with our position as a neutral power, to mitigate the severities of the expulsion. Copies of these several telegrams are herewith inclosed.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

J. C. B. DAVIS.

[These several inclosures will be found under the title “France,” ante, and in the North German correspondence as above.]