Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.
No. 321.]
Legation of the United States,
Brussels,
December 11, 1865.
Sir: I announced to you yesterday, by
telegraph, the death of the King, an event which my previous
communications had foreshadowed. He died at the palace at Laeken, at a
quarter before twelve o’clock yesterday morning, surrounded by his
family, and in full possession of his faculties to the last.
The whole country is overwhelmed with grief for the sovereign, to whose
wisdom, tact, profound statesmanship, and thoroughly honest conduct of
the administration of its government is in great part owing its present
honorable place among nations.
His death causes no disturbance or panic. The public mind had become
habituated to the thought of his loss, and prepared for this conclusion
by the lingering malady which several times had threatened a fatal
termination.
I enclose herewith, in translation, (A,) copy of M. Rogier’s note to me
announcing this mournful close of a reign of near thirty-five years, and
also (B) copy of my response.
I also enclose a copy of the Moniteur of yesterday, containing the
announcement of the King’s death and the proclamation of the council of
ministers, of which I annex translation, (C, D.)
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.]
A.
[Translation.]
Mr. Rogier to Mr. Sanford.
The undersigned, minister of foreign affairs, fulfils the most
painful duty in announcing to Mr. Sanford, minister resident of the
United States of America, the decease of his august sovereign.
His Majesty Leopold I, King of the Belgians, succumbed to-day, at a
quarter before twelve, to the attacks of a malady supported by him
with heroic fortitude, but which had become hopeless since several
days.
The royal family is plunged in the most profound affliction; the
people, faithful and filled with gratitude, weep for the venerated
monarch who, after a glorious reign of more than thirty-four years,
is removed from their affection.
The undersigned has the honor to offer to Mr. Sanford the assurance
of his most distinguished consideration.
B.
Mr. Sanford to Mr. Rogier.
The undersigned, minister resident of the United States of America,
has received with feelings of profound sorrow the note of his
excellency the minister of foreign affairs, communicating the
painful intelligence of the death of King Leopold I.
The demise of that great and good prince is not alone a loss to the
state which he has so
[Page 54]
admirably conducted to its present proud position among the nations;
the United States share in it, and will claim a place among his
sincerest mourners. The late King was held by their government and
people in especial respect and regard; they had, more than once,
occasion to appeal to his wisdom and impartiality to decide
questions of difference with other powers, and they preserve in
grateful remembrance the services he has rendered to them in the
interest of peace and of justice. This common sorrow adds another
bond of sympathy between the two countries, whose people are already
closely drawn together by similarity of institutions based upon
liberty.
The undersigned begs M. Rogier to convey to the royal family the
expression of his deep sympathy in their great affliction.
Mr. Sanford prays his excellency to receive the assurance of his
highest consideration.
C.
Death of the King.
[Translation.—From the Moniteur of
December 10.]
Brussels,
December 10, 1865.
An immediate mourning is about to spread over Belgium.
The first of our kings, the founder of our national dynasty, his
Majesty Leopold I, died this morning at the Palace of Laeken, at a
quarter before twelve o’clock, surrounded by his august family,
whose grief we will not attempt to portray.
History will tell what was the sovereign who, in the times of grave
uncertainties, did not hesitate to respond to the wish of the
nation, by coming to strengthen and fix its destinies; who, during a
reign of near thirty-five years, at an epoch so troubled as was
ours, knew how to call to himself the love and veneration of the
Belgian people, and to win the high esteem and respect of sovereign
monarchs and peoples; who, true to his solemn pledges, was minutely
scrupulous in the observance of our constitutional compact, and in
reward for this duty, so religiously fulfilled, and the services
which he did not cease to render to the country, carries with him
the gratitude of a whole nation united to bless his memory; who,
finally, leaves to the august heir of his crown, with his great and
noble example, a free, happy, and prosperous kingdom, which has
acquired its place among the family of European nations.
Belgium will long weep the loss she has sustained; she will ever
preserve the remembrance of a King who was for her a devoted friend,
a constant support; but her too just regrets will not cause her to
forget her legitimate hopes.
The country does not die, and if on all sides is raised the doleful
cry—
The King is dead !—
All Belgians, mastering their affliction, and rallying round the
throne, will re-echo the shout—
Long live the King !
D.
[Translation.]
Belgium has lost the King who associated himself with its destinies
with an unchangeable devotion during the whole course of a long,
peaceful, and glorious reign.
After having struggled with heroic constancy against the physical
pains which he has had to combat during the last years of his life,
he has at last been conquered by death—he whom Belgium in its grief
and in its gratitude has already acclaimed as father of his
country.
Full of veneration for the memory of the wise and loyal monarch whose
loss it weeps, the Belgian people, faithful to itself, will await
with confidence the early day when the representatives of the nation
will receive the oath of the heir of the throne.
To guarantee to Belgium its liberty, its prosperity, and its
independence, Leopold II, who has already won the heart of the
populations, will follow the great example of his illustrious
father, and he will find the whole nation united to sustain him
energetically in the accomplishment of his noble and patriotic
mission.
CHARLES ROGIER, Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
JULES BARA, Minister of
Justice.
FRÉRE ORBAN, Minister of
Finance.
ALP VANDENPEEREBOOM, Minister of the
Interior.
BARON CHAZAL, Minister of
War.
JULES VANDERSTICHELEN, Minister of Public
Works.
