Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow,
No. 336.]
Department of State, Washington,
December 18, 1865
Sir: I transmit to you a copy of a
correspondence between Allen McLane, esq., president of the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company, and this department, from which it will be seen that
application has been made for negotiations with the French government
for the mutual protection of the mail steamers of France and the United
States in the event of war, such as have been provided in the postal
convention of December 15, 1848, between the United States and Great
Britain. You will be pleased to bring she matter under the consideration
of Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
John Bigelow, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[Page 270]
Mr. McLane to Mr. Seward
Office of the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company, New
York,
November 29, 1865.
Sir: I beg leave, respectfully, to refer to
your letter of October 6, 1864, in which, refer ring to the 20th
article of the postal convention between the United States and Great
Britain of December 15, 1848, relative to protection to mail
steamers of both nations in case of war, you state that no provision
of a similar character has been adopted with France, and in your
letter of October 13, 1864, you stated that “the subject will
receive the consideration from this department to which it is justly
entitled.”
For the information of this company, permit me now to inquire whether
such protection has been agreed to between the United States and
France?
Very respectfully yours,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.
