Mr. Gresham to Mr. Blount.
Washington, May 22, 1893.
Sir: The President having appointed you to be envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States to the Hawaiian Islands, I herewith transmit the following papers:
- 1.
- Your commission in that capacity.
- 2.
- A letter of credence addressed to His Excellency Sanford B. Dole, President of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, with an office copy of the same. This latter you will deliver to the minister for foreign affairs upon asking, through him, an audience with his excellency for the purpose of presenting the original.
- 3.
- A copy of the printed personal instructions prescribed by this Department for the government of the diplomatic officers abroad.
- 4.
- A special passport for yourself and suite.
- 5.
- A register of the Department of State.
Your compensation, as fixed by law, will be at the rate of $7,500 a year, for which you will draw upon this Department, quarterly, as it becomes due. You will also be allowed $1,000 per annum on account of rent and contingent expenses of the legation, and will draw for the same quarterly, as above.
You are particularly referred to the printed personal instructions for detailed information and directions as to the mode of drawing your salary and rendering your accounts, as well as for the regulations relating to the expenditures of your legation.
To become properly conversant with the business of the legation, you will have recourse to the correspondence between this Department and your predecessors in the mission recorded in its archives. Special instructions on important subjects between the two Governments will be sent to you from time to time as occasion may require.
The Department entertains the confidence’ that your intelligent and zealous attention to the interests of the United States, now confided to your care, will be conducive to the harmony and friendly relations existing between the Governments of the two countries.
You will execute the necessary oath of office, herewith inclosed, and return it to the Department.
Your salary as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary begins from that date.
I am, etc.,
Inclosures: (1) Commission; (2) letter of credence and office copy; (3) printed personal instructions; (4) a special passport for yourself and suite; (5) Department of State Register; (6) oath of office.