Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow

No. 297.]

Department of State, Washington, November 3, 1865.

Sir: I am directed by the President to request you to ask the serious attention of the French government to the military proceedings in Mexico, by which native Mexicans taken captive while adhering in war to their own republican government are denied rights which the law of nations invariably accords to prisoners of war.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWAED.

John Bigelow, Esq., &c., &c., &c.