Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the President, December 4, 1871

No. 181.

Baron Gerolt to Mr. Fish

Legation of North Germany, Washington, January 14, 1871. (Received January 14.)

Sir: I have the honor of inclosing the translation of a telegram, received at a late hour last night, from Count Bismarck.

With the assurances of my highest consideration, I remain your most obedient servant,

FR. v. GEROLT.

Hon. Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State, &c., &c.

[Translation.]

To the Northern German Legation, Washington, D. C.:

The treatment of German merchant ships by France obliges us to revoke the declaration made by us at the beginning of the war, “exempting all French merchant vessels, not carrying contraband of war articles, from capture by our war-vessels.”

As neutral property may have been shipped on board of French vessels in confidence of the above declaration, the new measure will not be carrried into effect until four weeks after this date.

BISMARCK.

Versailles, January 13.