Douglas acknowledges the receipt of correspondence between British and American officials
concerning his 1856 loan to Washington Territory authorities.
No. 54
27 December 1858
1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
despatch No. 28 of the 9th of October last transmitting copies
of a correspondence which has passed with the Foreign Office on
the subject of the money advanced by me in 1856 for the purchase
of commodities supplied to the authorities of Washington
Territory, on the requisition of Governor Stevens, and I feel
truly obliged to you for the great trouble you have taken in
this
matter.
1
2. I regret to observe that the United States Government
have not repaid the money due to me on that account, a want of
good faith which I must confess has called forth in my mind a
feeling of pain and surprise. This is however not the only
instance in which I have suffered in consequence of relieving
the distress of United States Citizens who have applied to me
for assistance, and I therefore certainly trust that such
instances may not often occur hereafter during my tenure in office.