Mr. Washburne to Mr. Fish
Sir: The crisis has at last been reached. In my dispatch of a week ago, No. 351, I spoke of the discouraging state of things in Paris, but of the still resolute determination of the people not to surrender. I added, however, that the city might fall suddenly, and the siege be ended before my dispatch should reach you. The disturbances of Sunday, the 22d instant, and the additional news which the government received on Monday, of the substantial defeat of all the outside armies, taken in connection with the utter impossibility to feed Paris but a few days longer—all taken together imperatively demanded immediate action on the part of the French authorities. Paris had held out beyond every reasonable calculation, and the population had suffered all the horrors of famine, cold, and bombardment. From the 27th of this month only seven days of provisions remained, limiting to each one only the small possible amount necessary to sustain human life. On Monday evening, a week ago, negotiations were commenced at Versailles between Mr. Jules Favre and the Count de Bismarck. Of course the greatest anxiety has existed in Paris as to what would be the result of those negotiations. The general idea has been that Paris, resisting to the end, would have to capitulate unconditionally. Such a thing as a general armistice was not contemplated, and while Paris should fall into the hands of the Prussians, it was supposed that the government of the national defense would still hold its existence in the provinces and continue the war à outrance. I was myself inclined to take the same opinion, and in view of the probable fact that in case of a surrender there would be no shadow of a government of France at Paris, I wrote to you in my No. 338, asking for instructions as to the course I should pursue in such an emergency. I thought that it would be necessary in such case to leave Paris and repair to the seat of the French government. Instead of the absolute surrender of the city and the military possession of it by the Prussians, we have the armistice, a copy of which, from the official journal, I have the honor to send you herewith. I do not see anything in the present situation which will necessitate my leaving [Page 292] Paris to repair to Bordeaux, for tire seat of government will remain here until such a time at least as the armistice shall expire and peace fail to be made.
I also send you the decree of the government of the national defense convoking the national assembly at Bordeaux on the 12th proximo, and also fixing the number of delegates to the assembly. You will see that the number of delegates to the assembly is seven hundred and fifty-three, which I think is quite too large, particularly when it is considered that the assembly would have but one week in which to conclude the important work for which it has been convoked. We are now entering on a new and interesting phase of the events which have been convulsing, not only the belligerent powers, but the whole civilized world, for the last six months. It is to be seen whether a peace can be made on terms which will be acceptable by the French nation, or whether the war is to be indefinitely continued. You will be likely to receive full information by telegraph of the action growing out of this armistice and of the national assembly before this dispatch shall reach you, and I will not, therefore, indulge in any speculations as to the probable shape which things will take.
I have, &c.,