Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-12-17
French War ships i'm American
Waters.

III appears from the Oulcldi correoPohu
enee that on the 4th of October Secre-
tary Fish wrote to Minister Washbnrne,
expressing the friendly, but strictly neu-
trail position Of the United States toward
France and Prussia, adding;
But this hospitality is liable to abuse,
and circumstances have arisen to give
rise in the minds Of some persons to the
apprehension that the attempts at such
abuse have taken place. / am not IN
possession of facts to justify me in say
ing that sach has been the case, but |
have deemed myself justified in calling
the attention of NJ. Bertheny, the French
representative at the capital, to the cur
rent rumors, sustained as they are blythe
presence of large number OF French
vessels npOn the coast of the United
States. These vessels have appeared at
or near the entrance Of the harbor OF
New York--off Sandy Hook, at the en-
trance of the Long Island Sound, at
or near the entrance of the Chesapeake
Bay. One or more is represented to
have been anchored not far from Sandy
Hook THE main entrance to New York
Harborl. and there is a difference OF
statement as to the precise distance at
which she lay from the shores some
claiming that she was within marine
league. But of this there is no positive
evidence. She has entered the port of
New York las claimed by some) for the
purpose of watching q German steamer
sbout TO sail thence. Three of them
have put into the harbor of New Lon
don which looks out upon Long Island
Soznd-the eastern entrance to the New
York Hzrborl, avowedly for some small
repairs, one recently asked permission,
witch wSs granted, TO make some re-
pairs az the Norfolk maynard, near the
entrance Of Chesapeake Bay. All this
zAy t.s Consistent with an intention of
y.srt4cs observance Of the neutral char
hcssr Of or waters and jurisdiction, and
viii Al szrlre absence OF undertaking |
Ant hostile movement against the yes
sells az No-sh Germany from those waters |
90 thai Jurisdiction. A large trade has
s.ssz carried On from the ports of the |
[ mined States. approached BY the waters
IN WINCH these vessels have thus aT- |
.,sA-ea- ty vessels belonging 10 North |
Germany The appearance Of French |
rt.ssssls IN the immediate nelghborhOod |
IN sush numbers and force does not fail
70 excite The alarm Of those vessels, and |
ms have the effect, TO s greater or less
5er-se 20 diminish that trade. The |
I 111sd States Is not prepared at present
10 SAT- thar any actual violation of the
laws las been committed, |
~ 1hBi the hospitality Of these waters
La a,s-sa positively abused But the |
Ds-Fs-IzE q TIE vessels OF war OF Del 1
5rsEEni q the coasts near the entrance
q the principal ports Of friendly pOEer
l1ss Ezierfere with the trade OF the
Ira1snSIT power. TIE interruption Of the
rarulEr eonm1nie4tion with you, by rea-
"a az The investment Of Paris, has led 4
IL 70 represent to Mr.. Bertheny our
5sEz On lAis sz5ject, AID TO say that al
ba1ra tbs resssls Of either belligerent
nET 1O6 zcE1zliy shelter within the
ur1ssiczi0a Of the United States, and
rueszi thence against the vessels Of its
nsuy. tins Government would regard
4 Al unfriendly act the lowering Of such
sssels upon the coast of the United
tsres near its shores, in the neighbor-
God Of iis ports, and in the tracks Of
= ordinary commerce Of these ports,
III inisuI 10 Intercept the vessels OF ,
-sie OF It's enemy. have requested ,
Beriheny TO make known these views :
, tie French Government, and 70 ex-
ress the confident hope Of the Presi-
emit that there may be no cause OF com 1
laiut on the part of this Government {
' reason of any such lowering by the {
essels of the French Government. fou |
i'll be pleased to take an early oppor- I
nifty to present The same view 70 the !
mister Of Foreign Affairs, which you
ay do by reading to him this dispatch. 7
Among the many other documents is
lie following from Secretary Fish, ad-
.essed to Minister Washburne by tele- G
aph. 7
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON. November %.
ashburne. Paris: !
The President directs me TO say that y
henever you and Read, or either, desire
find it convenient to leave Paris, you q
'e at liberty to do so. In that event he y
you, or both, will go to Tours and !,
with the proper official J.