Mr. Washburne to Mr. Fish
Sir: In my dispatch No. 321, dated November 19, 1870, I estimated that the amount to be paid out of the contingent fund of this legation, as connected with the expenses entailed upon it by virtue of our protection to the subjects of the North German Confederation, would not be likely to reach more than fifteen hundred dollars. That sum was independent of what I proposed should be paid to persons connected with the legation. At the time I had the honor of addressing you that dispatch, I supposed that my duties in that regard would have been ended before this time. Instead of that being the case, they have greatly increased, and no man can now venture to predict how long they are [Page 283] likely to continue. I am to-day furnishing aid to twenty-two hundred and seventy-six destitute Germans, and I have had to employ three additional persons in my legation to perform the service necessary to look after these people. Besides, it is necessary to consider the vastly enhanced prices of everything which we have to purchase, as incidents to the state of siege. For instance, I have had to pay at the rate of more than fifty dollars a cord for wood. There is besides quite an amount to pay for carriage-hire. Instead, thererore, of three thousand dollars (including extra compensation) which I estimated, it may in the end reach four thousand. I have thought proper to thus call this matter to your attention, in order that you might bring it to the notice of Congress, provided you should deem it necessary.
I have, &c.,