Mr. Bayard to Baron Fava .
My Dear Baron: Your personal note of the 20th, inclosing a copy of the cablegram you had received from the Italian minister for foreign affairs, conveying the sentiments of your Government in relation to certain opinions expressed by the Hon. A. M. Keiley at a public meeting in Richmond, Va., in January, 1871, came to my hand, and its purport was made known to Mr. Keiley.
These expressions, made so long ago, are considered by Signor Mancini to constitute the individual who uttered them persona non grata to the present King of Italy, and this fact has very considerately been brought to the knowledge of the President through your correspondence with me.
I recognize the full and independent right of your King to decide this question of personal acceptability to him of an envoy of this Government.
In the selection of Mr. Keiley the President was actuated by a hearty desire to cement and strengthen the ties of respect and friendship so long and happily existing between Italy and the United State, and believing him to be a gentleman of high honor and intelligence, and animated only by the sincerest sentiments of respect and duty to the Government to which he was so accredited, he was duly commissioned to proceed on that honorable and friendly service.
The feeling of your Government on the subject, as conveyed by you to me, has caused an arrestation of Mr. Keiley’s movements, and he has returned to the President his commission as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Italy, and the object of Signor Mancini communication to you is therefore accomplished.
I am, &c.,