No. 128.
Mr. Washburne to Mr. Fish.
Paris, April 1, 1872. (Received April 19.)
Sir: The National Assembly adjourned on Saturday afternoon until the 22d instant. Just before the adjournment Mr. Thiers appeared at [Page 182] the tribune, to make, as lie said, a brief exposition of the situation. You will find his speech reported at length in the Journal Officiel of the 30th instant. It was very well received. Speaking of the financial situation, he said:
Do not forget that since at this day a similarity of government draws ns closer to the United States, do not forget the great example they have given to the world in proportioning the taxes to the burdens they had assumed. On their part, this was very praiseworthy, for they had assumed these burdens voluntarily. We, who have not voluntarily assumed the burdens which weigh upon us, must not show less courage in bearing them, and the true courage which France, understanding her position, recommends to you, gentlemen, is to place the receipts on a level with our unavoidable expenses.
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The French are not relaxing their passport system, but are enforcing it more and more strictly, greatly to the disgust of all foreigners visiting or proposing to visit France, and particularly of the English.
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I have, &c,