No. 556.
Mr. Hoffman to Mr. Evarts.
St. Petersburg, March 2, 1880. (Received March 22.)
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 90, of February 12 last, inclosing an autograph letter from the President to the Emperor on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his accession to the throne, and instructing me to take the first occasion to give expression to the sentiments of regard and esteem towards His Majesty entertained by the Government and people of the United States.
This dispatch reached me on the evening of the 27th instant.
On the 28th I forwarded the President’s letter to Prince Gortchakoff with a congratulatory note, a copy of which I have the honor to inclose.
Yesterday the Emperor received the diplomatic corps. On recognizing me he said that he had seen the President’s letter, and thanked him for it. I took the opportunity, under your instructions, to convey to him verbally the congratulations of the President, and to assure him of the regard and esteem entertained towards him by the Government and people of the United States. He listened attentively and replied that he thanked me.
The Emperor is said to be poorly. He appeared to me, however, to be as well as he has been for the last two years. The Empress did not receive. She is confined to her room.
I have, &c.,