#garibaldi

Antwerp, June 8th 1861.

General Garibaldi:

The papers report that you are going to the United States, to join the army of the North in the conflict of my country. If you do, the name of LaFayette [sic] will not surpass yours. There are thousands of Italians and Hungarians who will rush to your ranks, and there thousands and tens of thousands of American citizens who will glory to be under the command of the "Washington of Italy."

I would thank you to let me know if this is really your intention. If it be, I will resign my position here as Consul and join you in the support of a Government formed by such men as Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, and their compatriots, whose names it is not necessary for me to mention to you.

I sincerely regret the death of Cavour. He was a great statesman. But you were right in demanding for your officers and soldiers what you did; for they had fought bravely under your command and deserved your highest thought.

With assurances of my profound regard,

Yours &c, [abbr. for et cetera]

(Signed) J. W. Quiggle

To Gen. [General] Garibaldi,