No. 41.

Mr. Fish to Mr. Washburne.

No. 206.]

Your dispatch No. 304, of the 18th ultimo, with its inclosures, relative to the obstructions and conditions imposed by the force blockading Paris to the communication of the representatives of neutral powers there with their governments, has been received.

The impression here is that the course of the Prussian authorities on that subject is derogatory to the rights of neutrals under the public law. The views of this Department are more particularly set forth in the instruction to Mr. Bancroft of the 11th instant, No. 264, and in the note to Baron Gerolt of yesterday, copies of which are herewith transmitted.

It is at least questionable whether, if the case were reversed and the diplomatic representative of Prussia were dwelling in the invested capital of a foreign country, the Prussian government would be willing to abide by the position which it has taken upon this question at Paris. In view, however, of the hitherto almost unchecked success of their arms, showing the wisdom, efficiency, and power of their military system, it is not unnatural to expect from them at least a leaning toward an assertion of extreme belligerent claims. It is hoped that they may not on any future occasion have reason to regret the course taken in the instance referred to, especially as it is impossible to believe it to have been necessary for the accomplishment of the military object which they had in view.

HAMILTON FISH.

E. B. Washburne, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

[For these inclosures see post—“North Germany,” Mr. Fish to Mr. Bancroft, No. 264, dated November 11, 1870, and Mr. Fish to Baron Gerolt, of same date.]