No. 3.
Mr. Bayard to Mr. McLane .

No. 271.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge your No. 490, of the22d ultimo, transmitting copy of a note of the 21st of October from Mr. Flourens, informing this Government of the willingness of the French Republic, though there are not many French ships engaged in the seal fisheries, to confer with us or to examine any draught of a convention intended to regulate those fisheries in Behring Straits.

This response of the French Government to our invitation is very satisfactory, and in due time further instructions on the subject will be sent you.

I am, etc.,

T. F. Bayard.