Mr. MacNutt to Mr. Foster.
Madrid, December 14, 1892.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the Duke of Veragua has this day formally and definitely expressed his intention to visit the United States, in response to the invitation of the President.
Acting upon your instruction No. 42, of November 26, I saw the duke by appointment and informed him that his presence was desired in America by about the middle of April, 1893.
The result of my interview with his grace is the following: the duke will be accompanied by the Duchess of Veragua, his son Christopher, and his daughter.
It is possible that his brother, the Marquis of Bárboles, and his wife may also accompany him, but this is not yet certain.
The duke will bring with him his private secretary, and there will be two servants in attendance.
On the 12th of April the steamship Ems, of the German line, is announced to sail from Genoa, touching at Gibraltar on the 15th and reaching New York on the 23d. As this southern line offers many advantages, the duke is inclined to take that vessel, unless he may be obliged to go first to Paris, in which event he will sail from Le Havre on an approximate date.
The duke expresses his cordial wish and disposition to fulfill in all things the desires and intentions of the United States Government in inviting him, and during his stay in America places himself entirely at your disposal.
His intention is that his journey should not occupy more than two months, including both voyages, but the division of his time in America he leaves entirely to the direction of his hosts.
I have, in reply, answered his grace that his wishes were our commands, and that upon arrival in America and after the official acts and ceremonies at which his presence was desired, he would have but to indicate where he wanted to go and what he wanted to do.
I shall be able to inform the Department within a fortnight as to the exact number of persons accompanying him and the date and vessel on which he will sail.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.