The New York herald., 1870-12-10
REPUBLICAN, FRANCE.
Correspondence Relating to the Recognition
Of the French Republic.
The Policy Of the United States-Ths Desire for
Peace-Strict Neutrality Mediation-Ex-
empting Private Property from Seizure
on the High Seas-Sealed Pack
ages Rsfussd-Precedents

WASHINGTON, Dec. Q, 1870.
Accompanying the Presidents AessaQeltolC olCongress
was large mass OF documents from the Depart
ment OF State. including correspondence OF United
states Ministers In Europe on the Franco German
war, from which the following points are extracted.
Acting Secretary Of state,sDavis, on september 8,
teegraphed Minister WAsnburne Ut Paris a. fol.
lows
II the provisional government has actual control
Anu possession of power and Is acknowledged by
the french people so as 10 be IN point Of fact the
decide by the time this reacnes YOU YOU viii not
hesitate TO recognize is.
On the same day Assistant Secretary Davis tele-
graped -
II appearing by your last despatch that the new
tranquil, you will recognize 1t as az the situa-
Ion, In your Judgment, shall justify It, and tender
the congratulations OF the President ana people OF
the United States on the successful establishment OF
arepublican government.
On the 7th OF September Davis further tele-
graphed -
Berthemy asks, under instructions from Favre,
whether the pusc sentiment in America has
changed since the change Of government In
France, France adding on his part. that until
expressed strong sympathy with Germany. re.
plled:-"Ihe government maintains q strict neu-
and nd w continue u 50 TO dO That ne canSt
which countenanced giving aid to the rebels during
our war. and tried to establish . monarchy on our
Ing to which he alluded was not against France or
the French people. OF which he Is Is competent to
ment IL shown in the order OF the President already
given, 70 recognize the new government"
Wasnburne, under date OF Paris 7th OF september,
informs Secretary Fish as follows
About two O'Clock p. NJ. yesterday NJ. Jules Favre
called upon me in person to thank my government,
IN the name or that OF the national defence well
se ep a %
again desired that should transmit to the Presi-
dent and Cabinet at Washington the profound
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Of the Government OF National
Defence. then communicated the despatch
Of Mr. Davis In relation TO his conversation with M.
smiled at the allusion 70 the attempt OF the Emperor
to found monarchy on the southern borders, and
replied that nehing could be more satisfactory than
Mr.. Davis telegram. twas all he could desire. lie
then said he had answered my letter OF the day be-
FORE and that 1t would be sent to me in the course
the honor to send herewith copy OF 1t in the origi
nal French, together with q translation thereof
On September 8 Secretary FISH telegraphed to
Minister Washburne:--
Tho request Of Favre to instruct you to join the
other Powers In EFFORTS peace received 1t is not
the policy Or the interest OF the United States TO act
Jointly with European Powers ON European ques
whether Germany desires the good otiices OF the
United States, but not to tender them without the
assurance that they will be accepted. The Presl-
dent strongly desires to see peace restored between
the two great Powers now at wgr, with each OF
whom the United States has SO many traditions Of
friendship.
Secretary Fish, in subsequent dispatches to Wash
burne, compliments him on his prudent and discreet
conduct which has received the appreciation OF the
President. On the 4th October Fish wrote Wasn-
burne:--
This government desires and intends to maintain
strict neutrality between the two Powers now un-
engaged ID war desires also TO
IN every possible way, and VIII allow to the vessels
OF OF each Power equally the hospitality OF Its
0nA hnp fAr a md frtnn
poses.
Minister Motley wrote Secretary Fish. August II,
that the 9th he sent telegram in these words:-
It's an authentic fact that the French government
| teegraphed to London yesterday to know II Genera
| Lee is here or whether he is expected. The suppo
sltion Is that military command Is to be oneret
or that he Is expected here. The fact however thai
| the French government should show such anxiety
| to obtain military talent from 80 distant quarter
would seem to argue some want pr confidence In the
/ government OF their armies.
| Secretary Fish, on September 0, telegraphed to
| Minister Bancroft
| Minister Washburne telegraphs that France re-
quests the United States to join with other Powers
] IN an EFFORT for peace IL has been the uniform
policy ana is the true interest or the United states
not 70 ,oln the European Powers IN any nterfer.
strongly desires to sec the war arrested aud
the blessings Of peace restored. II Gerrnany
| the United States interposed the President
Will be glad to contribute all the aid in his po wer to
Great Powers now at war, and with whom the United
States has so many traditions OF friendship Ascer-
tain II Nortn Germany desires such offices, but with
out making the tender thereof unless assured they
Will be accepted"
On September IL Minister Bancroft tclegraphcd
Secretary Fish,
No time now for America to intervene Germany
rejecs all foreign interference Every other Power
holds backs America would stand alone and be
unable to accomplish anything. Our interest and
dignity require us for the present to stand aloof.
On the 30th OF September the Secretary OF State
wrote to Mr.. Bancroft
The reasons which you present against American
intervention between France and Germany are sub.
stantlay among the considerations which deter
mined the President In the course and pocy indl-
Gated toy you in the cable dispatches from TINS ONCE
on the 9th inst and In rejecting all idea OF media
ton, unless upon the JOINT request OF both OF tnc
the President as 1t is the Interest of the people
Of this country, that the unhappy war In
which France and Nsrth Germany are engaged
VIII not trespass any opinion as to the terms or
ditions upon which peace may or should be
sharing Its friendship; but It is hoped that the
proongatlon OF war may not find It's cause
either In extreme demands. on one side or
extreme sensitveness on the other Side SO far as
you can consistently and without my Oflcial inter-
position or advice or OF counsel. IL is hoped
wishes and hopes OF the President and OF the Amsri-
can people as above represented and to contribute
what you may to the presentation OF such terms or
North Germany has manifested, and as shall not be
humliating Or derogatory TO the pride OF the great
people who were our earliest and fast ally
On the 25th OF October Fish wrote Bancroft as
follows:-
SIRIhave to acknowledge the receipt OF your des-
patch OF the 9th instant No. LAT. In which, referring
to my letter OF the 22d OF July last to Baron GerO you
state that Mr.. Debruck informs you that when the
time snail come for negotiating peace with France
one Of the conditions 70 be proposed and insisted
will be the recognition or the principle of
exemptlng private property on the high seas
from seizure. You inquire whether you
viii be authorized TO propose, on your
part recognition, in the pending treaty. relating
e COnsulships and inherltances between the United
states and the North German Union 2 In reply you
are Informed that you are authorized to obtain the
recognition OF the principle OF the exemption or
private property OF citizens or subjects OF either OF
the parties irom capture on the nigh by either
privateers or public vessels oil the other.
On the 18th OF November the Secretary sent the
following to Mr.. Bancroft
SIR-The refusal OF the German authorities at the
m nanf nf Do tn oil Ihn fnIfA