Hon. William h. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
P. S.—This society is a regulation assembly of the whole marine.
CLAY.
[Translation.]
Our féte of the 6th February, on the occasion of the anniversary of
the foundation of the assembly of the fleet, has been this year more
animated than usual, in consequence of the presence of the
representative of our friends beyond the sea, General Clay, minister
of the United States. At dinner, the first toast was given in honor
of his Majesty the Emperor; and, as is always the case, this toast
was applauded with loud hurrahs. Toasts were then given in honor of
his imperial highness the Grand Admiral, the minister of the marine,
and of the commandant in chief of the port of Cronstadt. Then was
drunk the health of the American guest, General Clay. Admiral
Lessonsky delivered on the occasion a discourse, in which he
succeeded in admirably expressing the sentiments of the Russians
towards the American nation, as well as the great satisfaction which
we have felt in hearing of the end of the internal struggle of our
good friends.
The admiral closed his speech by thanking the American minister, in
the name of the whole Russian navy, for the very cordial reception
given them while their fleet was in his country in 1864.
Mr. Clay responded to Admiral Lessonsky that the American nation duly
appreciated our friendship, and that it would always remember that,
in the most sad moments of the civil war, while the western powers
were engaged in sustaining the rebels, Russia, like a true friend,
maintained its ancient relations. Mr. Clay added, that he was sure
time would only bind more closely the ties of sympathy which united
the two great nations; and he proposed to drink to the durability of
those ties.
Admiral Popow toasted the citizens of San Francisco, and Admiral
Lessonsky the citizens of New York and Boston.
Mr. Clay rejoined by a toast in honor of the people of Moscow, to
whom, he added, he had been able lately to express the sentiments of
the Americans towards the Russian nation. After which was drunk the
health of Admiral. Lessonsky and Popow, the representatives of the
Russian fleets in America in 1864.
Finally, the dignity of honorary member of the Assembly of the Navy
of Cronstadt was bestowed upon the minister of America.
When all the toasts and speeches upon the amicable relations of
Russia and America were finished, Admiral Popow spoke to call to
mind all that the grand admiral, who is so dear to all our navy, has
done for the Russian fleet. The hurrahs which unanimously followed
these words were the best testimony of the gratitude which we bear
for the grand duke. Finally, Admiral Lessonsky, rising, set forth in
a few words the immense benefits which our much loved sovereign had
heaped upon Russia, and offered anew a toast to the health “of the
father and of the liberator of Russia.” The national hymn, mingling
with the loud hurrahs which this last toast received, worthily
closed the banquet.
