No. 86.
Mr. Washburne to Mr. Fish.

No. 1381.]

Sir: On the 5th instant the members of the Chamber of Commerce of La Rochelle addressed to me a communication pointing out the inconvenience which will arise for the dealers in spirits in that port from the suppression of the United States consulate there, and requesting me to urge their case before my government.

It is impossible for me to comply with the request of the petition to urge the re-establishment of the consulate at La Rochelle. I do not think there is the least necessity for a consul there, and in my judgment Congress acted wisely in abolishing the consulate there and at Nantes. It is possible that it would be well enough to have a consular agent at La Rochelle, attached to the Bordeaux consulate, but of that I am not in a position to speak positively.

I have, &c.,

E. B. WASHBURNE.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]

The members composing the Chamber of Commerce of La Rochelle
to the United States Minister at Paris:

Mr. Minister: The Chamber of Commerce of La Rochelle has learned through the papers that the United States consulate established at La Rochelle was to be transferred to Cognac.

The chamber comes to express to you how deeply it would regret such a measure, if in reality it is to be taken.

We admit that since a few years the American ships have not often visited the port of La Rochelle, but the very important commerce of brandy which is carried on between the United States and the localities situated within the limits of action of this chamber would suffer a great deal from the inconvenience and loss of time following the obligation of calling at Cognac, at twenty-five leagues from here, to get the required certificates which are to accompany the numerous shipments of spirits made from La Rochelle to Bordeaux and from thence to the United States.

The Chamber of Commerce of this port ventures to hope that after having pointed out to you the inconvenience of the suppression of the consulate of La Rochelle, you will consent to employ the legitimate influence you have acquired to induce your government to maintain that consulate.

We have the honor to be, &c., the members of the Chamber of Commerce.

(Here follow signatures.)