Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 5, 1881

No. 246.
Mr. Morton to Mr. Blaine.

Legation of the United States,
Paris, August 19, 1881. (Received September 1.)

No. 11.]

Sir: In compliance with instructions contained in your dispatch No. 387, of date June 24, 1881, this legation forwarded to the Marquis de Rochambeau the letter which conveyed to that gentleman an invitation to be present at the celebration of the centenary of the surrender of Yorktown. The Marquis de Rochambeau was informed at the same time the hospitality of the flag-ship Trenton would be also extended to him to transport him to the United States, should he so desire. With due appreciation of this act of courtesy the marquis has declined the hospitality of the flag-ship Trenton. Still, as he is one of the delegates selected by the French Government, he will be present at the Yorktown centenary.

I have the honor herewith to inclose to you his letter, addressed to you, in which he gives expression to his sense of obligation for the invitation of which he is the recipient.

As you enjoined, the Trenton has also been placed at the disposal of, first, the other members of the French delegation which will shortly repair to our country, through Mr. B. St. Hilaire; and, second, of the La Fayette family, through the senator, Mr. Edmond de La Fayette.

The latter gentleman has declined this offer for himself and relatives, on the ground that the electoral campaign, which is now open, interferes and prevents their departure from their country at so early a date as September 18, the day fixed upon for the Trenton to sail. The same reasons have influenced the action of the French Government, also, in this matter. Their delegates will secure passage on a French trans-Atlantic steamer, and leave for the United States on or about the 24th of September.

I have, &c.,

L. P. MORTON.

[Inclosure in No. 11.—Translation.]

Marquis de Rochambeau to the Secretary of State.

Mr. Secretary of State: I am highly honored by the invitation which the President of the United States and yourself have been pleased to address to me, to take part in the fêtes of the centenary of Yorktown. I already knew by experience that the American people preserve with religious care the memory of services rendered, as was abundantly proven to me by the marks of sympathy which I had received in the United States on the occasion of my visit in 1876.

This new evidence of courtesy on the part of that people is a striking confirmation of this fact, and it will be to me at the same time a duty and a pleasure to unite with you in celebrating the anniversary of that famous victory, which founded in so durable a manner the autonomy of the American people.

I have been deeply affected by the assault which endangered the life of President Garfield; but I hope to find him completely recovered from his wounds. Will you have the goodness, Mr. Secretary of State, to transmit to him the expression of my sentiments of grateful appreciation; and accept for yourself the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.

Marquis de ROCHAMBEAU.

Chateau de Rochambeau, August 9, 1881.