The New York herald., 1877-09-16
MINISTER WASHBURNE.


INVITED TO PUBLIC DINNER M AMERICAN
CITIZENS IN PAnIs-uIs REASON FOR DE-
cLINISG-wnY HE WAS ENTITLED TO 'No
CONSIDERATION.
PARIS, Sept. g. 1871
Several gentlemen recently sent address TO Mr
washburne offering apubic dinner previous to his de-
parturc for the United States The following Is tho
address. with Mr. washburne's reply
THE ADDRESS
PARIS August 20. 1877.
To His Il xceliency f. u. wAsmHuxsE. Envoy Extraor-
dinary and Minister Plcnipotentiary 10 France
sm-fhc American rcsidcnts OF PARIS grateful TO
you Tor the constant and wstchiul protection with
wheh you surrounded them during your long Official
residence IN France the near Witnesses OF the able and
energetic manner In which you maintained your
countrys interest and good name in times of dscacy
ana embarrassment ana proud OF the name you have
acquired IN tho history OF American diplomacy
abroad, desire, lcfore your departure TO convoy 30
you IN some emphatic way tho expression OF tnesc
They Tho. eore take this occasion to invite you II
sucn mode OF expression should DO agreeable TO you
10 apubc dinner. TO be given on any DAY between now
ana the moment Of your departure which you may
designate.
We have tho honor to be, with the hixhsst seu,i.
mcn's OF consideration and estcem, your grateful
coun.rymcn A, r. A rorbert, Thomas W. Evans, T..
James ". Tucker. Adoph II. Reuiiuser. James Nc
Kaye Henry Woods, Alfred II. kcit.inger, A. Van
sKs Kons, HS Eeorss eorss "s!' E,.y ~ M
winthrop. IL 5. Homans. J. karrick Riggs, James Bel
vn, W,,,,.n, j. ! !: RYAN j. H. hsrjss 5 kc%lns:oa.
ridge, Tnco. >. Evans, D.. W. Russell. l.. Hoencr,
Henry Visnaud, William Segman, James II. StcbbIns,
J. r. Lou6At and others.
wAsnByRNE's REILLY
PAFs. Sept l. 1877.
GksrLxAks:-Upon my return to Paris, after an alb
edge the receipt OF your communication Of the 10th
ulI As am about sever the ol1cial relations
which nave held with the French government you
DO inc tho honor 10 invite me TO pubic dinner 10 bo
gwen at such "a timc as may designate The date
which have hxed upon tor my departure Is near ~
hand that 1t Will bc impraccaDe to carry out tho pur
pose which you have been pleased to indicate IA such
graceful and generous terms In beng obliged TO do
have rendered me, beg that you will acccp, my pro-
found and crate full acknow lodg gmonts.
You have been Kind enough 10 speak OF my official
servcc In terms SO complimentary That you do lar
more than justice. During the pcr0d that nave had
tho honor 10 represent our country France tncrc
over connected with the history OF auy country and
these devoved upon me important duties and ~x
crptionai responsibilities am not, however, VAN
enough 10 believe that have discharged the duties
cumbent upon me IN moro satisfactory manner than
,nsy would ~ ve csen performed oy any Minister VINO
up to a principle which has always been my guide
during public life now reaching 10 period OF moro
than quarter ol century, have had no other OBJ
ject than to execute every trust conhded faith
iuiiy honestly and according 10 the full OF
my ability and judgment havo claim to any
special CONNIE ndation As our diplomatic representa-
tive II has been cndcavor conduct the AFFAIRS
OF the important mission entrusted 10 mo Us 10 meet
with approval by our own government, To mako my
so.f acceptable 10 tho government to which
credited, 10 Afford protection 10 my own couptrymen
and TO tho other nationalics with whose interests
was charged, ana generally to extend my advice and
good Offices Whenever requested.
My term Of service As Minister to France, nearly
eight years ana hall, been longer than that OF
any OF my predecessors and II is great satisfaction
for To know that in single instance has my on
cial action been challenged and that all my off,
cia aud personal relations with the French govern.
mcnt havo always boon most cordial friendly. II
II has been my fortune TO obtain any II must
therefore, be attributed in great 10 The sup
port and good will Oi my government, the
consideration and courtesy of tho French authorities
and the Indulgence OF my compatrlots. From the
French people have received nothing but kinaness,
and tho rccOllcctious OF my long residence among
them viii ever be most gratefully cherished. But to
my country people l am under obligations OF
gratitude which car mover be forgotten From the m
my family and myself have been the recipients Of all
that boundlsss hospitality, kindness and good will
which have made our long residence abroad pleas
ant and attractive
After residing SO long away now return joyiuy ia
my country and nome, but sunder many OF the
peasantest associations and tho cherished friend
ships Of my hie shall, however, have The sat,sfac
ton of carrying With all the agreeable and lasting
souvenisa Df tho American colony in Paris
Wishing You, gcntcmen, every happiness and pros
porty, IaAyv We honor 70 be- very respectfully, you
| Obedent servant Il. b. WASHBURNE.
| To General A. T. A. .Torhert Dr. Il. Couans. DR.
Thomas W. Evans, DR.. William T. Johnsaon. ID,