In the dispatch
to M. Pageot we gave the views of our Government on this question.
Mr. Forsyth not having thought proper to accept a copy of that dispatch,
and having said that the Government of the United States could not
receive a communication in such a form, I have nothing to add. I am
forced to retrench myself behind that dispatch. If the Government of the
United States does not give this assurance, we shall be obliged to think
that this misunderstanding is not the result of an error, and the
business will stop there."
To your excellency's offer to communicate to me the dispatch to M.
Pageot I replied that as my instructions had no reference to that
question I did not think myself authorized to discuss it.
After some minutes I rose and said:
"In a short time I shall have the honor of writing to your excellency."
You answered:
"I shall at all times receive with pleasure any communication addressed
to me on the part of the Government of the United States."
And our conversation ended.
Such, Monsieur le Duc, as far as my memory serves me, are the literal
expressions employed by both of us.
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