Mr. White to Mr.
Sherman.
American Embassy,
London, February 19,
1898.
No. 268.]
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 267, of
yesterday’s date, I have the honor to inclose herewith copies of further
communications which I have received from you, together with copies of
letters which I have written in pursuance thereto.
I also inclose copies of a letter which I have received from the equerry
to the Duke of York, and of my reply to the same; and also of my
telegram to you based thereupon.
I have, etc.,
[Page 1062]
Copies of telegrams received from the Department
at the Embassy, February 18, 1898.
White, American Embassy, London:
Please convey to the Lord Mayor of London the President’s deep
appreciation of his message expressing the sympathy of the citizens
of London in the terrible bereavement that has afflicted the
American people. In their name the President returns grateful
thanks.
White, American Embassy, London:
Make suitable acknowledgment of telegraphic condolences on Maine disaster received from N. M. Rothschild
& Sons and from Irish meeting, St. James Hall, James O’Kelly,
chairman; also thank Señor Garcia Meron, through Argentine legation,
London, for his telegram dated Southampton.
[Mr. White to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales,
K. G.]
Sir: I have just received a telegram from
my Government stating that the President of the United States has
received the touching message of sympathy which was sent to him by
Your Royal Highness and the Princess of Wales.
The President directs me to express to Your Royal Highnesses in the
name of the American people, no less than in his own, his grateful
appreciation of your tribute to our nation in respect to the
calamity which has befallen us in the loss of the Maine.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
York Cottage,
Sandringham,
Norfolk, February 18,
1898.
Dear White: The Duke and Duchess of York
desire me to write to you and to say with what horror they have
heard of the awful calamity which has befallen the Maine. His Royal Highness, as a sailor, deeply feels for
the Government and the Navy in this terrible catastrophe, and the
Duchess of York joins with him in the expression of their profound
sympathy.
Believe me, yours, sincerely,
Derek Keppel, Equerry in Waiting.
American Embassy, London, February 19,
1898.
Dear Keppel: Pray convey to the Duke and
Duchess of York an expression of my sincere thanks for the message
of sympathy with my Government and the American Navy which their
Royal Highnesses have been so good as to send me, and which I have
lost no time in telegraphing to the Secretary of State, to whom I am
also forwarding a copy of your letter to-day.
I am sure that the sympathy of so distinguished a sailor as the Duke
of York will be particularly acceptable under the circumstances to
the Secretary as well as to the officers and men of our Navy.
Yours, sincerely,
American Embassy, London, February 19,
1898.
Lord Mayor: I have received telegraphic
instructions from my Government to express to your Lordship the
President’s deep appreciation of your message, which I at once
communicated to him, expressing the sympathy of the citizens of
London and of yourself with the American people in the terrible
disaster which has befallen them by reason of the loss of the Maine under such appalling circumstances.
In their name the President charges me to convey to your Lordship an
expression of his grateful thanks.
I have, etc.,
[Page 1063]
Lord Salisbury presents his compliments to Mr. White, and has the
honor to acknowledge the receipt of his letter of this day’s
date, conveying the reply of the President of the United States
to the message which Sir Julian Pauncefote was instructed to
deliver, by command of the Queen, in regard to the loss of the
U. S. cruiser Maine.
Lord Salisbury begs to state that he will at once lay Mr. White’s
communication before Her Majesty.
Foreign Office, February 18, 1898.
