No. 104.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Morton.
I am directed by the President to instruct you as the representative of the United States Government to attend the ceremonies at Paris on the 4th of July, incident to the presentation to this country of the [Page 158] colossal bronze statue of “Liberty Enlightening the World,” and on behalf of the President make known its acceptance.
You will avail yourself of the opportunity to express the thanks of the Government and people of the United States for the statue as a work of art and as a monument of the abiding friendship of the people of France.
You will assure the Franco-American Union Committee, the president of the council, and the citizens of the French Republic, that the American people return most heartily the friendly sentiments which prompted this noble gift to America.