No. 799.
Mr. Bragg
to Mr. Bayard.
Mexico, July 18, 1888. (Received July 30.)
Sir: I have the honor to advise you that on yesterday, by appointment, I called upon President Diaz at the castle of Chapultepec, and tendered him my congratulations upon his re-election in the following terms:
Mr. President: I have called to present to you my congratulations upon your unanimous re-election, and to say in addition that it is an honor well deserved for the stability and financial credit given by you to the Mexican Republic.
Your re-election has been received with very great satisfaction by the people of the United States, as evidenced by the voice of the public press, and although I may not assume to speak officially, I feel assured that the President of the United States and, his administration are not among those least gratified.
President Diaz received me with great cordiality, and expressed himself much pleased at the friendship and approval manifested by the United States for his administration in the past, and hoped that in the future he should merit the continuance of such friendship and approval.
To-day is the anniversary of the death of President Juarez. It is one of the greatest commemorative days in Mexico. Processions are marching, and there is gathered a large concourse of people near the cemetery of San Fernando, where he was buried, to listen to eulogies and pay tribute to his memory.
The flag of this legation is at half-mast, and this morning I presented to the committee for decorative purposes a large floral wreath and anchor, having attached ribbons, in American and Mexican colors, inscribed, respectively, in English and Spanish, with the following sentiment:
The children of Washington join in tribute to the memory of the Mexican soldier and patriot statesman, Benito Juarez.
The offering was cordially received and given a prominent place upon the speaker’s platform.
These acts of mine, although unofficial, are given you that you may be advised of the current of events here, official and otherwise. Trusting that I have not exceeded what you would desire in these matters,
I am, etc.,