The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-01
MINISTER WASHBURNE'S REPORT.

Letter from Minister Washburne to Secretary
Eish-Ail Property of Americans Safely Pro.
tected-Courtesy and Consideration of the
French Auihorities-The Prussian Legation
and Gernuns Protected-Newspaper Abuse,
WAsHINGToN, Feb. 2S.-The following let
ter from Minister Washburne to Secretary Fish
will be read with great interest He expresses
himself thankful that he remained throughout
the siege, and does justice to the kindness and
courtesy extended by the French authorities
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, PARIS, Feb. 8,
1s71-Sir: :-Durng the past week the people of Paris
have been patiently and quietly awaiting revictua-
members to the Rational Assembly which is to
convene at Bordeaux on the 18th inst
Small quantities Of provisions have commenced
coming In to-day. The first train contained supplies
sent by the population OF London to the population
Of Paris. These supplies have been distributed
their respective population and are to be given out
only to the most necesstous. 1t will be but short
time, hope, before all can be reasonably supplied.
The lower classes In the city have, during the last
months of the siege, suffered untold mseries OF
which does them great: credit. Indeed the suffer
ing OF all classes has been very great and it might
be said that all classes have sustained the suerings
and privations OF the siege in a manner that must
excite the wonder and admiration of the wor d..
Now that the siege is over am thankful that
been OF some service to the interests with which
l have been charged. 1t is with pleasure that am
enabled to state that have succeeded in protecting
all American property in Paris, and that no harm
has come to any OF our Americans who have re-
NAMED here. This statement must be qualified,
however, so as not to apply to the young American,
Mr. Swagar who lost his life by having his foot torn
men whose property was destroyed by the bursting
OF shell in their apartments In the Latin quarter
Several attempts were made to interfere with
the Government OF the National Defense the credit
to say that they have treated all such matters as
have deemed 1t necessary to bring to their atten-
tioA with the utmost fairness and consideration.
In the first place 1t was proposed to quarter the
upon an application to M. Gambetta, then Minister
OF the INTERIOR he gave an order that 1t should not
posed special tax upon the apartments of
the absent, which bore very heavily upon our
coqntrymen. ! had correspondence with M;
Jules Favre upon the subject, which / had
the honor to transmit you, and by which you will
have seen that the city authorities were overruled
and the tax not enforced. Then II was proposed to
put the fugees from the neighborng villages who
had come into Paris into the apartments OF some of
the Americans. / resisted that, and the intention
was not carried out, and when the bombardment
took place and the people from that part Of the city
proposed to shelter them in the vacant apart
ments In other parts OF the city. Many OF
the apartments OF the Americans were threat
in case would consent to have furnished apart.
ments OF Americans occupied in this manner, aud
am happy to say that no apartment has thus been
occupied. And lastly after the armistice was de-
clared and all the troops came into the city another
attempt was made to quarter soldiers aud 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 everything in as good condition
as when they lett.
Very little damage has been done to the property
OF the people of other natonalities with whose pro-
lection have been charged. At one early period
the house of a German Mr.. Hedler was invaded by
the Guard 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 who was then the Prefect OF Po-
lice took the affair promptly in hand, brought the
offending parties to punishment, and permitted
agents selected by me to the damages, which
were promptly paid. Immediately after the break
ing out OF the war took under my protection the
magnificent hotel OF the Prusslan Embassy in the
Rue deLille. All OF the persons who had charge OF
1t DOWN TO the concierge had been expelled from
France, and as it seemed to be the objective point
of the hostility OF the Partisan population, / had
great fes for its safety. at once placed it under
the charge OF an American friend In Paris, who has
exercised most vigtlant guardianship over it and
protected 1t from all harm.
While there has been a good deal OF hostility
against me among a certain number OF the popula.
tiOn OF Paris during the siege, ana while have been
assailed In the clubs and in the newspapers on
account OF my protection OF the Germans have no
cause whatever for complaint against the Govern
ment OF the National Defense. l have been treated
by them with the greatest kindness and with all the
consideration due to me as the diplomatic repre-
sentative OF our country.
have the honor TO be very respectfully, your
obedent servant, f. B. WAsHBURRE.
To Hon Hamilton Fish Secretarv of state