No. 218.
Mr. Washburne to Mr. Fish.

No. 870.]

Sir: Referring to your dispatch No. 522, of August 11, and to my No. 847, of August 30, in reply, I have the honor to inclose you the advertisement of a proposed American Directory, got up by the American Register of this city. This work will give more complete information upon the subject of the number of Americans in France than any that I can obtain from other sources, and I shall forward you a copy so soon as it shall be published, with such, remarks as it may seem to call for. In the mean time I have taken steps, by consulting the prominent American bankers here, and other well-informed persons, to inform myself as well as possible upon the subject in question. It results generally from the information I have thus obtained, that the number of resident Americans in France does not increase, but, on the other hand, rather diminishes; that the number of traveling Americans passing through France increases every year, and that there have probably been 20 per cent, more of this class here this year than ever before.

As regards the number of children born in France of American parents, I have reason to believe that they are in most instances registered at the consulates. I have applied to the consul-general for information on this point, as I have already stated, and he has promised to give it to me at the earliest possible date.

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In reference to American citizens registered at the “Mairie,” with a view to their having the option of being French citizens, I have never heard of an instance of the kind. Children born here of American parents are almost universally registered at the Mairie, because the laws of the country require it, and because it is made the duty of the attendant physician to see that it is done. Such children, I have reason to believe, do sometimes, on coming of age, select (“opter”) to become French citizens; but I know of but one such instance, and I am sure that they are extremely rare.

In reference to your fourth inquiry, I doubt if any American citizen has formally disowned American citizenship; at least no such case has ever come to my knowledge, and the laws requiring military service in France are so onerous that I doubt if any one who is free from their operation voluntarily submits himself to them.

I shall have the honor to refer to this subject again when I shall have received a copy of the American Directory referred to.

I have, &c.,

E. B. WASHBURNE.

Will be published shortly, the American Directory for Paris and Europe.

In addition to the names and addresses of all Americans permanently residing in Paris and the different cities in Europe, the above work will contain many valuable documents and much useful information upon all subjects of interest to Americans residing or traveling on the continent. Americans residing in remote parts of (Europe are kindly requested to send their names and addresses to the offices of the American Register, 2 Rue Scribe, Paris; or 4 Langham Place, London, for insertion in the above.