Mr. Thomas to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Stockholm, October 29, 1890.
(Received November 11.)
No. 83.]
Sir: In order that the files of the Department of
State may be complete upon the subject of a solemn act of international
courtesy, I have the honor to inclose copies of the correspondence that
passed between
[Page 717]
this legation and
the Swedish foreign office in reference to the trans portation and reception
of the remains of John Ericsson, to wit:
A note from Mr. Thomas to Count Lewenhaupt, dated August 20, 1890, conveying
the information that the Government of the United States would send the body
of Ericsson to Sweden on board the U. S. S. Baltimore.
A note from Count Lewenhaupt to Mr. Thomas, dated September 5, expressing the
thanks of the Swedish Government for this grand courtesy.
A note from Mr. Thomas to Count Lewenhaupt, dated September 13, announcing
the arrival of the Baltimore, bearing the remains of
Ericsson, at Stockholm, and asking at what time and place it would be
convenient for Sweden to receive from America the ashes of one of Sweden’s
greatest sons.
And lastly, a note from Count Lewenhaupt to Mr. Thomas, of same date,
designating Sunday, September 14, 1890, at 1:30 o’clock in the afternoon, on
board the Baltimore, as the time and place for the
solemn ceremony.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 83.]
Mr. Thomas to Count
Lewenhaupt.
Legation of the United States,
Stockholm, August 20,
1890.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I am
this day advised by my Government that the remains of the late Capt.
John Ericsson will be placed, with solemn and appropriate ceremonies, on
board the United States ship of war Baltimore, in
New York harbor, on August 23, for immediate transportation to Sweden,
his native country.
The United States has assumed this duty in response to an intimation from
the Swedish Government that such an act would be regarded with peculiar
satisfaction by the Government and people of Sweden, and also in
response to the well-known wishes of Ericsson.
My country desires, furthermore, to surround the embarkation and
transportation of the body of the great Swedish-American with every mark
of respect and honor, in order to express its appreciation of the great
services rendered by Ericsson to America, as well as its sympathy and
kindly feeling for the land that gave Ericsson birth.
I gladly embrace, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
83.—Translation.]
Count Lewenhaupt to
Mr. Thomas.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Stockholm, September 5,
1890.
Mr. Minister: In your letter of August 20, you
have been so good as to inform us that the mortal remains of the late
Capt. John Ericsson would be conveyed to Sweden on the ship of war Baltimore, and we have since received information
that the vessel might shortly be expected at Stockholm.
I am directed to express to you, Mr. Minister, our sincere gratitude for
the great courtesy with which the Government of the United States has
responded to our desire to receive the remains of our illustrious
compatriot. It is well known that the deceased had preserved a lively
affection for the country of his origin, though he had made another
country his by adoption, and as, during his latter days, he expressed
the wish to be buried in his native land, it has afforded us, his
compatriots, great satisfaction to realize this desire.
Be pleased to accept, etc.,
[Page 718]
[Inclosure 3 in No. 83.]
Mr. Thomas to Count
Lewenhaupt.
Legation of the United States,
Stockholm, September 13,
1890.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the
United States ship of war Baltimore arrived at
the port of Stockholm last evening, hearing on board the remains of the
great Swedish-American, John Ericsson.
The commander of the Baltimore, Captain Schley, is
instructed by the American Government to deliver the remains to the
American minister, at Stockholm.
I would therefore request Your Excellency to inform me at what time and
place it will be convenient for the Government of Sweden to receive from
the United States, by my hands, the honored ashes of one of Sweden’s
greatest sons.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 4 in No.
83.—Translation.]
Count Lewenhaupt to
Mr. Thomas.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Stockholm, September 13,
1890.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your note of to-day, by which you announce the arrival at
Stockholm of the ship of war Baltimore. You
inform me at the same time that you are directed to deliver into the
hands of the Swedish authorities the casket containing the remains of
the late Capt. J. Ericsson.
In response, I have the honor to inform you that Rear-Admiral Peyron has
been directed to receive the casket. For this purpose he will go on
board the ship Baltimore to-morrow at 1 o’clock
p.m., accompanied by Mr. Beyer, director-general and ex-chief of
administration of bridges and roads, and Mr. Schônmeyr, ex-captain,
commander in the royal marine.
I have already expressed to you, Mr. Minister, how sensible my Government
and the people of Sweden have been of the honors paid to the memory of
the illustrious deceased by the Government of the United States. In
reiterating to you in the name of His Majesty’s Government the
expressions of our sincere gratitude for the sympathetic courtesy of
your Government toward the Swedish nation, of which the mission of the
Baltimore furnishes the proof.
I avail myself, etc.,
