Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward
No. 273.]
Legation of the United States,
Paris,
February 15, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose copies of a
note which I addressed to his excellency the minister of foreign affairs
on the 12th instant, and of his reply, in reference to the authenticity
of the letter purporting to have been written by Marshal Bazaine to the
commander-in-chief of the Juarist army of the centre, enclosed with my
despatch to you of the same date, No. 271.
I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Bigelow to Mr. de Lhuys
Legation of the United
States, Paris,
February 12, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to your
excellency a copy of the Opinion Nationale of the 11th instant, for
the purpose of directing your excellency’s attention to a
communication which appears in its columns, purporting to have been
written by Marshal Bazaine, commander-in-chief of the French army in
Mexico.
[Page 283]
If perfectly convenient, will your excellency have the goodness to
inform me whether there is any room for questioning the authenticity
of that communication?
I have the honor to be, very truly, your excellency’s very obedient
and very humble servant,
His Excellency M. Drouyn de Lhuys, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
[Translation.]
Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys to Mr. Bigelow
Paris,
February 13, 1866.
Sir: I have received your request for
information with which you honored me yesterday, about the
authenticity of a letter of ?Marshal Bazaine, but I am not able to
furnish you the information required.
Accept the assurances of the high consideration with which I have the
honor to be your very humble and obedient servant,
Mr. Bigelow, Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United
States, &c.