No. 106.
M. de Vaugelas to Mr. Fish.

Sir: On the 20th of May last Mr. Bartholdi had the honor to inform your excellency that an international exhibition would be opened at Paris in 1878, and at the same time to invite the co-operation of the Government of the United States.

Since that time the project of my government has received the legislative sanction, and the two chambers have made the appropriation which was proposed to them to insure the execution of this great enterprise.

In view of the brief period which will elapse before the opening of the exhibition, Duke Decazes has thought that the proper time has arrived to invite foreign powers to a more direct and active participation. I therefore have the honor to beg your excellency to use your influence with the Federal Government to the end that it may appoint special commissioners, with instructions to make arrangements with the French commissioners concerning everything relating to the organization of the exhibition as regards the space to be reserved for each country, the conditions of admission for exhibitors, the charges to be paid by them, the sending, reception, and placing on exhibition of the goods, and, in a word, as regards all details of the internal management.

As soon as the superior commission, which is to meet very soon, shall have drawn up the general regulations, I shall hasten to send your excellency a copy; but I beg you, in the interest of the success of the exhibition, to be pleased not to defer until then such steps as you may think necessary to induce the Federal Government to appoint special commissioners.

Be pleased to accept, Mr. Secretary of State, the assurances of my respectful consideration.

I am, &c.,

F. DE VAUGELAS.