No. 376.
Baron Rosen to Mr. Bayard.
Washington, July 10–20, 1886. (Received July 23.)
Sir: I am instructed by my Government to inform you that His Majesty the Emperor has been pleased to consent to the next meeting of the International Prison Congress being held at St. Petersburg in the year 1890, according to the unanimous desire expressed by the last congress assembled at Rome in 1885.
I am further instructed to transmit to the Government of the United States an invitation of the Imperial Government to participate in the coming Fourth International Prison Congress, to assemble at St. Petersburg in the year 1890, by appointing a delegate or delegates to attend the same.
The Imperial Government also desires me to bring to your notice the fact that the year (1890) in which the next prison congress is to be held coincides with the centenary of the death in Kherson (Southern Russia), in 1790, of the famous philanthropist, John Howard, whose writings and personal efforts gave the first impetus to prison reform in Europe.
A committee of organization having been appointed and intrusted with all the necessary work preparatory to the assembling of the congress, the Imperial Government invites all participating Governments to give notice, at the earliest possible opportunity, either through their diplomatic representatives or through their delegates to the Permanent International Prison Commission, of any suggestions they may have to make with a view to the furtherance of the objects of the congress and of such proposals as they may wish to submit to its consideration, in order that their wishes might be duly consulted in preparing the programme of the coming Fourth International Prison Congress.
Accept, &c.