No. 30.

[Telegram.]

Mr. Davis to Mr. E. B. Washburne.

Berthemy asks, under instructions from Favre, whether [the] public sentiment in America has changed since [the] change of government in France, adding, on his part, that until now [the] republican press [in this country] has expressed strong sympathy with Germany.

[Page 68]

I reply that the Government maintains a strict neutrality, and will continue so to do; that he cannot wonder the people have little sympathy for a dynasty which countenanced giving aid to rebels during our war, and tried to establish a monarchy on our southern borders; that, in my judgment, the feeling to which he alluded was not against France or the French people, of which he is as competent to judge as I; and that the disposition of this Government is shown in the order of the President already given to recognize the new government.

DAVIS, Acting Secretary.