No. 6.
Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Fish.
No. 307.]
American Legation, Berlin
,
December 12, 1871. (Received Jan.
3.)
Sir: I this day left with Mr. Von Abeken, who,
during the illness of the Chancellor of the Empire and of the Secretary
of State, takes charge of the Foreign Office, the memorial of the United
States on the Canal de Haro as their northwestern boundary, to be
delivered through Prince Bismarck into the hands of the Emperor. At the
same time I left at the British Embassy in Berlin not only the copy
required by the treaty, but several extra copies of the memorial and
evidence.Has delivered the memorial.
I annex a copy of the letter addressed to Mr. Petre. I hope you will
approve my offer to join in bringing this boundary question to a speedy
issue.
Up to late last night the representative of Her Britannic Majesty at
Berlin had not received from his government any instructions on the
subject.
I remain, &c.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Petre.
American Legation, Berlin
,
December 12, 1871.
The limit of time allowed by the Treaty of Washington of May 16,
1871, for presenting the Case of the United States on the disputed
boundary question which has been referred to the German Emperor for
arbitration, being close at hand, the undersigned is constrained
this day, through His Serene Highness Prince Bismarck, Chancellor of
the German Empire, to lay before His Majesty the German Emperor the
printed Case of the United States, accompanied by the evidence
offered in support of the same.
In conformity with the Treaty of Washington, ratified June 17, 1871,
the undersigned has the honor likewise to communicate a copy of the
Case and evidence to the Hon. Mr. Petre, as the representative of
Her Britannic Majesty at Berlin.
It will give the undersigned great satisfaction to join with the
representative of Her Britannic Majesty in bringing this
long-contested question to a decision at the earliest possible
moment. The undersigned gladly seizes this opportunity of renewing
to Mr. Petre, Her Britannic Majesty’s representative at Berlin, his
assurances of highest respect and consideration.