No. 242.
Mr. Blaine
to Mr. Pomeroy.
Department
of State,
Washington, July 26,
1881.
No. 404.]
Sir: At the instance of his excellency Alfred H.
Littlefield, governor of the State of Rhode Island, I inclose herewith for
the representatives
[Page 419]
of the
Republic of France who are to visit the United States in October next, to
attend the centennial celebration of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at
Yorktown, an invitation to visit the State of Rhode Island, and while there
to remain as the guests thereof.
I will thank you to transmit the inclosed documents, relating to the
invitation in question, to the Government of France through the foreign
office.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure in No. 404.]
Governor Littlefield to Mr. Blaine.
State
of Rhode Island, Executive Department,
Providence, July 16, 1881.
Sir: I have the honor herewith to inclose for
the representatives of the Republic of France who visit the United
States in October next, to attend the centennial celebration of the
surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, an invitation to visit this
State, and while in the State to remain as the guests thereof.
I request that you will cause the same to be forwarded through the proper
channels to those gentlemen.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, yours,
ALFRED H. LITTLEFIELD,
Governor.
[Appendix 1 to inclosure.]
State
of Rhode Island, Executive Department,
Providence, July 16, 1881.
To the Representatives of the Republic of
France appointed to visit the United States at the Yorktown
Centennial:
Gentlemen: I have the honor, in behalf of the
State of Rhode Island, and acting by authority of resolutions of the
general assembly, passed at its session held in Newport on the 3d day of
June last, to invite you during your sojourn in the United States to
visit this State, and while within the State to remain as the guests
thereof.
I herewith inclose a copy of the resolution under the seal of the State,
and beg the honor, of an early reply.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALFRED H. LITTLEFIELD,
Governor.
[Appendix 2 to inclosure.]
State of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations.
(In General Assembly, May session, 1881.)
resolution authorizing the
governor to invite the representatives of the Republic of France to
visit Rhode Island.
Whereas during the Revolutionary War in the year A. D. 1778, while the
British controlled the entrance to Narragansett Bay, and greatly
distressed and oppressed the inhabitants of the adjoining territory;
and
Whereas in the month of July of that year a French fleet arrived in the
said bay, under the command of Admiral d’Estaing, and occasioned the
destruction of many of the vessels of the British fleet to the great
satisfaction and relief of the inhabitants of the State; and
Whereas in the summer of A. D. 1780, another French fleet, bringing a
large land force, arrived in the waters of the said bay, and to the
great relief of the inhabitants remained within this State for a
considerable time, and afforded protection to the lives and property of
the inhabitants of the State; and
[Page 420]
Whereas the Government of the United States has invited the Government of
the Republic of France to participate in the centennial celebration of
the surrender of the British forces in America, to take place at
Yorktown in October next, and the Republic of France has signified its
intention to be represented at and to participate in the said
celebration, therefore, as a token of gratitude, and as showing the
appreciation of the people of Rhode Island of the services rendered this
State by the fleets and armies of France, it is
Resolved, That his excellency the governor be, and
hereby is, directed and authorized to invite the representatives of
France who visit the United States to participate in the celebration in
October next, to visit the State of Rhode Island at such time during
their sojourn in the United States as may be convenient to them, and
while the said representatives are within the State to remain the guests
thereof, and that his excellency is hereby requested and directed to
appoint a committee of such citizens of this State as he may deem proper
to assist him in entertaining the guests of the State while here, in
such a manner as the committee may believe will be most acceptable to
their guests, and that his excellency the governor be, and he hereby is,
authorized to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the expense
incident to carrying this resolution into effect.
A true copy. Attest:
[
seal.]
JOSHUA M. ADDEMAN,
Secretary of State.
