Mr. Washburne to Mr. Fish
Sir: There have been no military movements in or about Paris for the last week, and since my dispatch No. 335; but, on the other hand, [Page 276] the greatest quiet has prevailed. It now seems to be well understood that another sortie is to be attempted day after to-morrow, the result of which you will learn long before this reaches you. There is not the least indication of yielding on the part of the people of Paris, and I see no reason to change the opinion I have hitherto expressed, that the city may hold out until the 1st of February. The surrender appears inevitable, and now only a question of weeks. Peace is regarded by every one as entirely out of the question. The Prussians will hold military possession of Paris, and of course there will not be even the shadow of a French government here. I shall hope to have full instructions as to the course that I shall pursue in the emergencies which are so certain to arise. The telegraph will inform you of the events as they occur, and perhaps it may be necessary for you to advise me by a telegraphic dispatch sent to our minister in London. Unless something unforeseen occurs, I propose to remain here till the end. The last dispatch-bag that I have received left London on the 25th ultimo. We have no news from outside since that date, except the merest scraps brought by pigeons, and a few items from certain German newspapers that have by some means found their way into Paris. In one of these journals is a very brief abstract of the Presidents message, from which I am glad to learn that the President testifies that I have acquitted my mission, as the protector of the Germans residing in France, in a “satisfactory manner.” I am afraid it will be a long time before I get the message in full, the reports of the heads of the Departments, and the first day’s proceedings in Congress. The date of your last dispatch is the 10th ultimo, and the last New York dates are of the 12th ultimo.
I have, &c.,