Mr. Tuckerman to Mr. Seward.
Sir: The United States flag ship Franklin, under command of Admiral David G. Farragut, accompanied by the United States steamer Frolic, Captain Harmony, arrived at the Piraeus, port of Athens, from Constantinople, on the afternoon of Monday, 31st of August. The acting United States consul immediately proceeded on board and was received with the customary salute. On the following day the admiral and suite visited Athens and at once called at this legation, where it afforded me the highest gratification to receive them. We soon after proceeded to pay the customary official visits, and the admiral and suite were presented by me to the prime minister, the ministers of foreign affairs, of justice, of religion, and education, and subsequently to the ministers of marine and of war. We also called upon all the members of the diplomatic corps resident at Athens. The admiral was received with great cordiality by all these officials, each of whom alluded to his illustrious career and expressed much pleasure at being brought in contact with him. On the following day the admiral and his family were visited by many of the residents of Athens.
Thursday, September 3d, being the day appointed for the public baptism of the prince royal, was observed with much pomp and ceremony; the buildings were decorated with flags and devices; business was suspended, and the people gave themselves up to general rejoicings. The ceremony at the cathedral was in the highest degree imposing. The edifice was crowded with the chief representatives of church and state, and presented a magnificent spectacle. Prominent places were reserved in the cathedral for the diplomatic corps and for the admirals and commanders of ships-of-war, all of which bodies were present.
The god-parents of Prince Constantine are the Queen and Prince Royal of Denmark, the Princess of Wales, the Grand Duchess Alexandra Josephovna of Russia, who held the child during the ceremony; the Duke Joseph, of Saxe-Altenburg, and the Grand Duke Nicholas. On the same day the King and Queen received the diplomatic corps at the palace, on which occasion, by previous arrangement, I had the honor to present Admiral Farragut and the officers of the Franklin to their Majesties. The King received each with a cordial grasp of the hand, and an expression of hearty good will. On approaching the Grand Duchess Alexandra, her Highness advanced from her position to take the hand of the admiral and to repeat the assurances of Russian sympathy with the United States, which have been so emphatically expressed to the officers of the United States navy whenever circumstances have brought them in contact with any of the members of the imperial household. On the same evening, the admiral and suite met the American residents of Athens at the house of the United States minister. On Friday, the 4th, Mrs. Farragut was presented to the Queen by the wife of the minister, and on that evening the admiral and suite were present, by invitation of the King, at a grand banquet given at the palace to the diplomatic corps, government officials, and other distinguished guests, on the occasion of the baptismal fête. The seats assigned at table to the officers of the Franklin were directly in front of the King. His Majesty, in compliment to these guests, wore the naval uniform. During the dinner he pledged their healths, which was the only toast drunk by him on the occasion. On Saturday, the 5th, I made my official call [Page 133] on board the Franklin, and received the usual salute. Later in the day, the Greek officials and diplomatic corps visited the ship and were saluted. The King having expressed his desire, and that of the Grand Duchess Alexandra Josephovna, to visit the Franklin, Monday, the 7th of September, at 1½ o’clock, was named by him for the visit. At the appointed hour, his Majesty, accompanied by the Grand Duchess and the Grand Duke Constantine of Russia, the mother and the brother of the Queen of Greece, went on board with their respective suites. I was present with the admiral and officers to receive the distinguished guests. The King was in the naval uniform. The Grand Duchess wore a necklace of precious stones, and upon her breast a ribbon, both decorations representing the emblematic colors of the United States. After the royal salute, the visitors were conducted over the ship, which they examined with interest, expressing admiration at the condition and appointments of the Franklin, which indeed reflect great credit upon the commanding officer, Commodore Pennock, as well as upon the admiral and the Navy Department. The royal and imperial party were then received in the admiral’s cabin by Mrs. Farragut, and partook of a collation. The most significant point in this visit was its duration, the Grand Duchess intentionally prolonging her stay on board to nearly three hours, a circumstance which emphasized the national compliment, and which did not fail to cause comment in official circles here. This account would fail to be complete did I omit to mention that during the repast on board the Franklin his Majesty the King was pleased to drink my health with this sentiment: “To our perpetual friendship, and to the perpetual friendship of the two nations.” On the same evening, Admiral Farragut honored me with his presence at dinner. Besides the members of his staff, there were present the ministers of foreign affairs and of marine, and the Turkish, British, and Russian ambassadors, with their wives. On the day of her arrival, and during the stay of the Franklin in these waters, she excited great interest among the Cretan refugees. Thousands of these poor sufferers lined the shore or gathered around the vessel in boats. Several petitions and addresses were presented to the admiral on their behalf, which were kindly received, and before sailing the admiral and officers made a liberal contribution in money and clothing, for the relief of the refugee women and children of Crete. On the 7th instant, in consequence of a telegram received from our minister at Constantinople, the admiral dispatched the Frolic, Captain D. B. Harmony, to the Turkish island of Scio, to investigate the circumstances of the arrest of a Greek, said to be a harbor-master, in the employ of the United States consular agent at that place. Captain Harmony returned yesterday from this expedition, and has reported the result of his investigations to Mr. Morris by letter. He is not of opinion that any further action on his part is called for in the premises. The admiral, with the vessels under his command, left the port of Athens this morning at an early hour for Trieste. I visited the flag-ship last evening, and expressed to the admiral and officers the great satisfaction which their visit has afforded to the government and people of Greece, the evidence of which is everywhere manifested. “Tell them,” said an intelligent Greek publicist to me, “that Greece has to-day but one sincere friend, and that is the United States.”
At the time of the Franklin’s visit, there were lying in the port of Athens the French frigate Thémis, 50 guns, and French brig Rolando, the former having on board the admiral; also the Russian flag-ship Minerva, Admiral Bontakow.
[Page 134]I feel that, for obvious reasons, I need not apologise for having brought to your notice many of the details of Admiral Farragut’s reception at Athens.
I have the honor to be, sir, your very obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.