No. 93.
Mr. E. B. Washburne to Mr. Fish.
Sir: The minister of the United States of Colombia, Mr. Caicedo, before leaving Paris, with all the “personnel” his legation, requested me to take under my protection the few Colombians who might remain in Paris. I promised to do so very cheerfully, glad of the opportunity to render a service to a sister American republic; but as there are very few Colombians in Paris, and their interests are not large, I have not thought it worth while to trouble the French government with a request for its assent. My protection will be simply “officious.”
The chargé d’affaires of Portugal, the Vicomte de Lancastre, who proposes to leave Paris tomorrow, has also asked me to extend our protection to his fellow-subjects remaining in Paris. I have consented to do so; but as this is a matter of more importance, in view of the number [Page 131] of persons and the importance of the interests at stake, I have asked the consent of the government of the national defense. This has been promptly accorded. The request of the Vicomte de Lancastre was made by direction of his government.