No. 118.

[Telegram.]

Mr. Fish to Mr. Motley.

Send to Bancroft, Berlin, by mail, and telegraph following:

Hoffman, Paris, asks may we protect Prussians? Have answered, Our representatives may protect Prussians, if Prusia asks for it and France consents. Precedent of Moustier’s request to us to protect French in Mexico referred to.

At request of Gerolt have instructed Washburne to ask if North German steamers between Hamburg and Bremen and United States will be exempted from capture. Have received nothing from you. Think your dispatches have been intercepted. Answer through Motley, via Hamburg or Belgium.

FISH.