Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 2, 1878

No. 289.
Mr. Marsh to Mr. Evarts .

Legation of the United States,
Rome , January 10, 1878. (Received February 6.)

No. 727.]

Sir: The Crown Prince of Italy assumes the title of Umberto I, King of Italy, being the first king, though not the first duke, of that name in the House of Savoy.

I inclose herewith a copy and translation of a note from M. Depretis, minister of foreign affairs, announcing the death of King Victor Emanuel and the accession of his successor.

The ministry, for the present, at least, remains in office under the new sovereign.

King Umbert I was born on the 14th of March, 1844, and baptized by the names of Umberto Reniero Carlo Emanuele Giovanni Maria Ferdinando Eugenio, and on the 22d of April, 1868, was married to his cousin, Maria Margherita Teresa Giovanni, daughter of Ferdinand, Duke of Genoa, brother of the late King Victor Emanuel.

The royal pair has issue, a son, named Victor Emanuel Marie Gennaro, born the 18th of November, 1869, who has the title of Prince of Naples.

I have, &c.,

GEORGE P. MARSH.

[Inclosure in No. 727.—Translation.]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Mr. Marsh .

Rome , January 10, 1878.

M. Minister: His Majesty King Victor Emanuel ceased to live yesterday, January 9, at 2.30 p.m.

By virtue of the constitution of the Kingdom, His Royal Highness Prince Humbert succeeds to his illustrious father.

In announcing, by order of His Majesty King Humbert I, this double event, of which I beg you, Mr. Minister, to give information to your government, I avail myself of this occasion to renew to you the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.

• DEPRETIS.
• Mr. G. Perkins Marsh,
  Minister of the United States, Rome.