"Sir,—I was requested by the embassador of the North German Confederation, before his departure from Paris, to take the North German subjects residing on French territory under the protection of this Legation. To-day I am in receipt of a telegram from my Government authorizing me to do so, provided that it be done with the assent of his majesty's Government. I have the honor to apply for this assent.
"I have the honor, etc., etc., etc.,
"Wickham Hoffman.
"His Excellency the Duke de Gramont,
Etc., etc., etc."
The Duke de Gramont replied, on the 18th, that the French Government gave its "entire assent," whereupon I telegraphed to Mr. Fish as follows:
"Fish—Washington:—Consented to take North Germans under protection on application of embassador, and with assent of France. * * * * Washburne returns immediately.
"Hoffman."
I learned afterward that my note to the Duke de Gramont produced quite a sensation in the Emperor's cabinet. The French Government had already requested the good offices of Great Britain to protect French subjects in North Germany, and it had fully expected that North Germany would make a similar request. Speculation was therefore rife in official circles as to what the action of Count Bismarck meant. It was supposed that he anticipated a general European war, into which Great Britain would necessarily be drawn; and preferred, therefore, to ask the good offices of a power which under all circumstances was likely to remain neutral.
The Duke de Gramont was then Minister of Foreign Affairs, and was supposed to have had much to do with bringing on the war. The story was current in Paris that, when he was embassador at Vienna, Bismarck represented Prussia. They quarreled, and Bismarck remarked of him, "C'est l'homme le plus bête d'Europe." He never forgave it. At Vienna he naturally associated with the Viennese aristocracy, who disliked the Prussians. From them he got the idea that Austria would readily join France in a war against Prussia, and so reported to the Emperor. He took no note of the all-powerful middle class, which rules in constitutional countries. This class would not hear of becoming allies of France in a war against Germany.
Late in the evening of the 18th of July, Mr. Washburne returned to Paris. He had been at Carlsbad for his health, but on learning the probability of hostilities, started at once on his return to his post. We had telegraphed him, but he never received the telegram. Few private telegrams were forwarded at all, and none with promptitude, in those days.
Paris now put on its war-paint. The streets were gay with the pantalon rouge, and all day long the French drum rat-a-tapped in the streets. The Mobiles began to arrive, the National Guard to parade—everywhere was heard the "Marseillaise." The forbidden air was delightful to Parisian ears, because it was forbidden. Long before the end of the siege it was rarely heard. The Parisians could chant it as they pleased, so it soon lost its attractions.