Mr. Foster to Mr.
Snowden.
Department
of State,
Washington, September 7,
1892.
No. 7.]
Sir: The Congress of the United States at its
recent session adopted a resolution, of which a copy is herewith inclosed,
authorizing and requesting the President to convey to Her Majesty the Queen
Regent of Spain and His Majesty the King, Don Alfonso XIII, an invitation to
attend the opening ceremonies of the World’s Columbian Exposition at
Chicago, Ill., on the 1st day of May, 1893.
In pursuance thereof, I inclose the letter of the President, with an office
copy, the former of which you will present to Her Majesty the
[Page 499]
Queen Regent, in person if
agreeable to Her Majesty, with the expression of the earnest desire of the
Government and people of the United States that it may be accepted.
I am, etc.,
Benjamin Harrison, president of the united states
of america.
To Her Majesty Doña Maria
Christina,
Queen Regent of
Spain.
Great and Good Friend: The Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled, on the 5th
of August last, expressed by public resolution the earnest and universal
wish of the Government and the people that Your Majesty and His Majesty
the King, Don Alfonso XIII, should honor them by attending, as the
guests of this nation, the opening ceremonies of the World’s Columbian
Exposition, by which they intend to commemorate the four hundredth
anniversary of the discovery of America, at the city of Chicago, in the
State of Illinois, on the 1st day of May, 1893.
This desire of the Government and people of the United States that the
successor of the Queen whose gracious patronage made the memorable
voyage of Christopher Columbus possible should participate in the
intended celebration in honor of the man and the event is especially
appropriate; and it would afford me deep gratification should it be the
pleasure of Your Majesty and His Majesty the King to accept the cordial
invitation thus tendered.
Availing myself of this gratifying occasion to renew the best wishes of
this Government for the peace and prosperity of Spain, I pray that God
may ever have Your Majesty in His wise keeping.
Written at Washington this the 5th day of September, in the year
1892.
Your good friend,
By the President:
John W.
Foster,
Secretary of State.
