No. 1.
Washington , May 23, 1877.
To the diplomatic and consular officers of the United States:
Gentlemen: General Ulysses S. Grant, the late President of the United States, sailed from Philadelphia on the 17th instant for Liverpool. The route and extent of his travels, as well as the duration of his sojourn abroad, were alike undetermined at the time of his departure, the object of his journey being to secure a few months of rest and recreation after sixteen years of unremitting and devoted labor in the military and civil service of his country.
The enthusiastic manifestations of popular regard and esteem for General Grant, shown by the people in all parts of the country that he has visited since his retirement from official life, and attending his every appearance in public from the day of that retirement up to the moment of his departure for Europe, indicate beyond question the high place he holds in the grateful affections of his countrymen.
Sharing in the largest measure this general public sentiment, and at the same time expressing the wishes of the President, desire to invite the aid of the diplomatic and consular officers of the government to make his journey a pleasant one, should he visit their posts. I feel already assured that you will find patriotic pleasure in anticipating the wishes of the department, by showing him that attention and consideration which are due from every officer of the government to a citizen of the Republic so signally distinguished, both in official service and personal renown.
I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,