Mr. Thomas to Mr. Blaine.
Stockholm, September 22, 1890. (Received October 8.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that Count Lewenhaupt, the minister of foreign affairs, has sent to this legation a box containing medals designed to commemorate the transportation of the remains of John Ericsson by America to Sweden.
I am informed by Count Lewenhaupt that it has pleased His Majesty to tender these medals as presents to the captain, officers, and crew of the U. S. S. Baltimore, on board which ship the body of the great Swedish-American was brought back to his native land, viz:
One medal in gold, to Captain Schley; thirty-one in silver, to the officers; three hundred and twenty-two in bronze, to the crew.
I have intrusted the box of medals to Captain Schley to be transported to the United States and delivered to the Department of State, pending the action of Congress in the premises.
I have informed Count Lewenhaupt of this disposition of the medals.
Permit me to add that I am confident the bestowal of these tokens means more than a gift to the individuals designated; it also commemorates a solemn act of international courtesy and expresses His Majesty’s appreciation of the friendship and good will thus shown by America to Sweden.
I have, etc.,