No. 138.

Mr. Davis to Mr. Bancroft.

No. 223.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of the 27th ultimo, No. 118, inclosing a copy of a convention between France and Prussia, alleged to have been proposed by M. Benedetti, the French ambassador, having for its object the union of Germany and the annexation of Belgium and Luxembourg to France.

You are instructed to ascertain, if possible, from the minister of foreign affairs, when the proposition for the convention was made, and why it was not sooner made known.

J. C. B. DAVIS, Acting Secretary.