The New York herald., 1871-03-01


A manifesto signed by the editors of forty
three newspa pers exhorts the people to calm
trial.
MINISTER WASHBURNE'S REPORT.
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Letter from Minister WashSurne to secre-
tary Fish-AIl Property Of Americans
Safely Protccted-Courtcsy aud Oonsidera-
tion Of tho French Authorities-Tho Prus-
Newspaper Abuse.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 1871.
The following letter from Minister Wash
burne to Secretary Fish will be read with
great interest. lie expresses himself thank
full that he remained throughout the siege,
and does justice to the kindness and courtesy
extended by the French authorities -
LEGATION or THE UNrrED STATES,
PARIS. Feb. 6. 1871.
SIR-During the past week the people OF Paris
have been patiently and quietly awaiting revictual
ment and agtating the question OF the election OF
members to the National Assembly, which Is to
convene at Bordeaux on the 18th inst.
Small quantities Of provisions have commenced
coming III to-day. The first train contained supplies
sent by the population OF London to tue population
OF Paris These supplies have been distributed
among the twenty ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN proportion to
their respective population and are to be given out
only TO the most necessitous It will be but short
time, 1 hope, before all can be reasonably
supplied. The lower classes In the city have, during
the last months OF the siege, suffered untold
miseries Of cold and hunger and with q patience
and f0rtitude which does them great credit. In
deed the suffering or all classes has been very
great and might be said that all classes have
taned the suferlngs and privatlons of the siege
q manner that must excite the wonder and admira.
tion OF The world.
Now that the siege is over I am thankful that
have remained through 1t ALL for l believe have
been OF some service TO the interests with which
have been charged. 1t Is with pleasure that am
enabled to state that have succeeded in protecting
all American property in Paris aud tnat no
harm has come to any or our Americans
who have renamed here. This statement must be
qualified however, 80 as not TO apply to the young
American, Mr. swagar who los. his life by having
his loot torn TO pieces by Prussan shell, and to
the two young men whose property was destroyed
by the bursting OF Shelf In their apartments In the
Latin quarter.
Several attempts were made to interfere with
American property at different times, but must DO
the government OF the national defence the credit to
say that they treated all such matters have
deemed it necessary to bring to their attention with
the utmost fairness and consideration. In the first
place It proposed to quarter the Garde Mobile In
the American apartments; but upon application to
NJ Gambetta, then Minister OF the INTERIOR he gave an
city authorities proposed a special tax upon the
apartments Of The absent, which bore very heavily
nnon our countrymen. had correspondence
with M. Jules Favre upon the subject, which had
the honor to transmit you, and by which yoa will
have seen that the city authorities were Overrued
and the tax not enforced. Then 1t was proposed to
put the refugees from the neighborng villages VINO
had come into Paris into the apartments Of some OF
the Americans l resisted that, and the intention
was not carried out, and when the bombar dment
took place and the people from that part OF the city
exposed to tho shells were driven out
it was proposed to shelter them in
the vacant apartments IN other parts OF the
city. Many OF the apartments OF the Americans
were threatened In this way, but gave orders that
Ill no case would consent TO have furnished apart
mcnts OF Americans occupied III this manner, and
am happy to say that no apartment has thus been
occupied. And, lastly, after the armistce was de-
cared and all the troops came into the city another
attempt was made TO quarter soldiers and officers
also In the vacant apartments OF Americans, but
protested against that and no apartment has yet
been occupied in that way. hope, therefore. that
when our country people return to their homes in
Paris they will find verything In as good condition
as when they left.
Very little damage has been done to the property
of the people OF other natonallties with whose pro-
lection have been charged. At one early period
the house OF a German, Mr.. Heder, was invaded by
the Garde Mobile in search OF Prussian spies, and
some damage was done to the furniture. Upon my
representation OF the matter to the government,
Count de Keratry, VINO was then the Project of Po-
lice, took the affair promptly IN hand brought the
offending parties to punishment, and permitted
agents selected by me to assess the damages which
were promptly paid. Immediately after the break
Ing out Of the war took under my protection the
magnificent hotel OF the Prussian Embassy In the
Rue de Lille. All or the persons who had charge Of
it down to the conoter0ere mad been expelled rom
France and as it seemed to be the objective point
OF the hostility OF the Partisan population. had
great fears for its safety. at once placed It under
the charge OF an American friend IN Paris, who has
exercised most vigllant guardianship over 1t and
protected it from all harm.
While there mas been good deal OF hostility
against me among certain number Of the popua-
ton OF Paris during the siege, anu Wnlie nave Deen
assaiIcd In the clubs and IN the newspapers on ac-
count OF my protection Of the Germans, have no
cause, whatever, for complaint against the govern
ment Of the national defence have been treated by
them with the greatest Kindness and with all the con-
sideration due to me as the diplomatic representa-
tive OF our country.
have the honor to be. very respectfully your obe
dent servant +. b. WASHBCRNE.
To Hon. HAMILTON FISH, Secretary Of State.
THE FRENCH RE IEF EJND.