No. 341.
Mr. Evarts to Aristarchi Bey.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 30th of April, in which you communicate to me officially the information that “Russia has declared war against the Ottoman Empire, and commenced hostilities in Europe and Asia.” You state also that, in view of these events, the Sublime Porte is convinced that the Government of the United States will, as a neutral state, be pleased to guarantee the same treatment that it granted to the belligerents in the last great European war of 1870–’71.

I am directed by the President to say in reply that the expectation of the Sublime Porte that a just and impartial neutrality will be observed by the United States is well founded. The Government of the United States will now, as heretofore, be found earnest, not only in maintaining an attitude of neutrality in European contests, but in faithfully observing all treaty obligations with either of the belligerent powers, and also in preventing the infraction, by any persons in this country, of the laws of the United States or the laws of nations.

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While thus adhering with fidelity to a line of action which is in accord both with legal obligations and with the public sentiment of the American people, the Government of the United States anticipates with confidence that the Sublime Porte will, on its part, take due care that the rights of the United States as a neutral power shall be fully and scrupulously respected, and that citizens of the United States, wherever pursuing their peaceable and lawful avocations, shall in no wise be unjustly interfered with or molested.

Accept, sir, &c.,

WM. M. EVARTS.