Mr. Dix to Mr.
Seward
No. 1.]
Legation of the United States,
Paris,
December 24, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I
arrived at this city on the 8th instant, and, as it was late on Saturday
afternoon, I went on to Versailles, where my family were awaiting me. I
notified Mr. Bigelow, my predecessor, of my arrival on the same day, and
on Monday, the 10th, I called on him at the legation. He immediately
asked an interview for me of the minister of foreign affairs, the
Marquis de Moustier, and on the 12th we called on him, agreeably to an
appointment which he made with us. I handed him the office copy of my
letter of credence and requested him to ask for me an audience of the
Emperor that I might deliver the original. The Emperor was at Compiegne,
and did not return till Monday, the 17th. On the 19th I received a note,
dated the preceding day, from the Duc de Cambaceres, the grand master,
of ceremonies, informing me that the Emperor would receive me on Sunday,
the 23d.
On the 19th I received a note from the first chamberlain of the Empress,
advising me that she would receive me immediately after my presentation
to the Emperor.
Yesterday one of the chamberlains of the Emperor called on me in a state
carriage, according to the established ceremonial, and conducted me to
the palace of the Tuileries.
On my presentation to the Emperor I delivered the address of which the
annexed paper, marked A, is a copy. I had sent a copy to the minister of
foreign affairs three days before.
A translation of the Emperor’s reply, which was delivered in French, is
annexed and marked B. A copy of the Moniteur of to-day, giving an
account of the presentations yesterday, is also annexed, and marked C.
The Emperor’s manner was very kind, and indicated, like his reply to my
address, an earnest desire to be on friendly terms with us.
Immediately after my presentation to the Emperor I was conducted to the
apartments of the Empress, who also received me with great kindness. She
made many inquiries about the United States, and expressed a strong
interest in the preservation of friendly relations between us and
France.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Page 214]
A.
Address of Mr. Dix.
Sir: In presenting my letter of credence
from the President of the United States, I am instructed by him to
express his best wishes for your Majesty, and for the prosperity of
the French empire, and his earnest desire that the good
understanding now existing between the two countries may be
perpetual. It has been the aim of the United States from the
foundation of their government to cultivate friendly intercourse
with all nations. There are special reasons why they desire to
cherish the most amicable relations with France. They can never
forget that she rendered them the most timely and effective aid in
assuming their independent and equal rank among the other nations of
the earth. Both countries—France during your Majesty’s reign, and
the United States during the corresponding period of time—have made
extraordinary advances in the industrial arts, and in the
applications of science to practical uses. Occupying respectively
conspicuous positions in front of the great areas of civilization on
two continents, the influence of a sympathetic movement on their
part in giving expansion to the ideas and progress to the national
interests which concern the welfare of communities cannot fail to be
powerfully and beneficially felt far beyond their immediate spheres
of action.
I am sure I do not represent too strongly the feelings of the
government or the people of the United States when I say that it is
their earnest wish to see the association which has united them to
France in the past, ripening in the future into a still more close
and cordial friendship. I shall consider myself most fortunate if,
in the discharge of my official duties near your Majesty’s
government, I shall be able to contribute in any degree to an object
so intimately interwoven with the prosperity and happiness of both
countries, and with the interests of humanity throughout the
civilized world.
B.
Reply of the Emperor.
I thank you, general, for the sentiments you have expressed to me in
the name of the government of the United States. The historical
recollections to which you have referred are a sure guarantee that
no misunderstanding will disturb the friendly relations which have
so long existed between France and the American Union. Á loyal and
sincere understanding will, I do not doubt, contribute to the
interest of industry and commerce, which are every day astonishing
the world by their prodigies, and will insure the progress of
civilization. Your presence among us cannot fail to contribute to
this happy result by maintaining relations to which I attach the
greatest value.
