Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 6, 1880

No. 240.
Mr. Hay to Mr. Noyes.

Department of State,
Washington, August 14, 1880.

No. 267.]

Sir: I have to state for your information that on the 20th of June last Mr. Outrey, the minister of the French Republic at this capital, communicated to this Department an invitation from the minister of war of France to this government to designate any officers of its Army to witness various maneuvers on a large scale of the French troops which are to take place this autumn within the several commands of the French army.

This invitation having been duly communicated to the War Department, the Secretary of War, in a letter dated the 10th instant, informs this Department that he has detailed the following officers to witness the maneuvers in question, viz: Maj. A. P. Morrow, of the Ninth Cavalry; First Lieut. William H. Bixby, of the Engineer Corps; and First Lieut. Rogers Birnie, jr., of the Ordnance Department. Mr. Outrey, the minister of France, has been requested by this Department to notify his government of the designation of the above-named gentlemen for the service indicated.

I will thank you to extend to the officers above named such courtesies as may be in your power not inconsistent with the performance of your official duties.

I am, &c.,

JOHN HAY,
Acting Secretary.