I began the conversation by informing you that I had requested an interview by order of my Government, and that on the result of that interview would depend my future movements.  I said that I was ordered to convey to the French Government assurances of the very lively satisfaction felt by the President on receiving the news and confirmation of the King’s safety, and that I was further instructed by the Secretary of State to assure you personally of his high consideration.  After an obliging answer of your excellency I had the honor to submit the following question: 

“I am instructed by my Government to inquire of your excellency what are the intentions of His Majesty’s Government in relation to the funds voted by the Chambers.”

And I understood you to make the following answer: 

“Having written a dispatch to His Majesty’s charge d’affaires at Washington, with instructions to communicate it to Mr. Forsyth, and M. Pageot having read it to Mr. Forsyth, I have nothing to say in addition to that dispatch.”

I said: 

“I am also instructed to inquire of your excellency whether His Majesty’s Government is ready to pay those funds.”

And you returned this answer: 

“Yes, in the terms of the dispatch.”

I added: 

“I am instructed to ask another question:  Will His Majesty’s Government name any fixed determined period when they will be disposed to pay those funds?”

To this question the following was your excellency’s answer, as I understood it: 

“To-morrow, if necessary.  When the Government of the United States shall by a written official communication have expressed its regret at the misunderstanding which has taken place between the two Governments, assuring us that this misunderstanding was founded on an error—­that it did not intend to call in question the good faith of His Majesty’s Government—­the funds are there; we are ready to pay.  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.”