Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Fish
Sir: This afternoon I delivered to the Emperor the President’s letter of March 16 congratulating him on attaining the dignity which makes him the representative of German Union, and expressing the cordial good wishes of the United States for the most friendly relations with Germany. With reference to his new position he said: “I have neither sought for it, nor expected it, nor desired it. The movement that was manifest in the history of a long period of years could not be unobserved; but I had no thought that the end would be attained unless it might be in the time of my son or of my grandson.”
With respect to the United States, the Emperor most cordially reciprocated the good feeling which the President had expressed; and as all the world gives him credit for being a man of his word, the President may be certain that the declaration was made with deliberation and sincerity. He expressed particularly his wish that the two nations might continue to cultivate mutually those good and friendly feelings which have been so apparent ever since Germany began to unite itself anew.
His expressions to me personally were as friendly as possible.
I remain, &c., &c.,