Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-01-01
The United States andzFganoe.
Reesption of the ne,e s19fenc1,. Mini.tcr ~
President JOHNSON.

Ieeccptton Of the s,e,e- ssI7iencNs Ainistcr5 5y
President JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON, December 25.-A AT 4o'elock
this afternoon the Secretary of State intro
duced to the President II. Berthemy, the
new French Minister. WHO was accompanied
by the President as follows:
(Transla.ion.)
Mr.. PrcSit2ent-I have the honor to place
in your hands the letter which accredits me
in the quality of Ambassador Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary of his Majesty,
the Emperor of the French.
Elm confding to me the mission to repre-
sent him near you, my sovereign especially
charged me to make known to you the value
he attaches to the relations of friendship
which exist between France and the United
States of America; TO maintain those rela-
tons and draw them more closely, as it be-
hooves US, in view of the developments of in
tercst common to the two countries. Such
will he the constant aim of my efforts, and [
have firm hope to attain it if. as am in ad-
vance assured, the Government and people of
the United States share in these sentiments
OF which bring to the place the sincere ex-
preston"
The President replied as follows:
"M Berttcmy-Sir Grateful affection to-
wards the French nation is among the earnest,
the most profound, and the most enduring
sentiment of the people and Government Of
the United States. We constantly try to
believe that no interests Of either country can
ever require alienation or antagonism between
them, while our commercial interests tend tn
bind them together. As you have Justly OBJ
served, they have at the same time a common
1IRI-thp Of iv l.
ity throughout the world. In expressing
these feelings 1 AMI only repeating what has
been uniformly said by the United States
since they became sovereign. We have had
much reason to be pleased with the conduct
OF your predecessor, the Marquis dc Montho.
Ion. he assured, Monsieur Berthemy that
TO consideration or courtesy will be withheld
which shall tend to max" the performance of
your duties agreeable and pleasant"
This ceremony being over, the devastating
of the Marquis dc NIontholon and the re-
Spouse Of the President to him was of the
most cordial character
Reception IF General Die ly the Emperor
Napoleon.
PARIS, December 24.-Mr, Bigelow pre-
scented his successor, General Dix, to Napole-
on yesterday. General Dix, on presenting
his credentials. referred to the ancient ami
ty between France and the United States,
and expressed, in the name of his Govern,
ment, sincere wish for its continuance
Napoleon thanked General Dix for his
agreeable manner of opening his mission and
added: "Thc historical "reminiscences to
which you alludc as having, from an carly
date, existed between France and the United
States, constitute sure guarantee that no
misunderstanding will disturb the friendly
relations which prevail between the two
countries The continuance of loyal and
sincere understanding between the govern
mcnts will greatly advance the interests and
commerce IF both countries the inhabitants
OF which arcad y astonish the world by mar
wells of enterprise"
The NoMHcnr Of this morning saws that
Dir. Stewards dispatch of the 23d Of Novem-
Der' In which the action of the Emperor in
evacuating Mexico is declared 'inconvenicnt
and exceptionablc, never reached the Gov
crnment Of France