Office of the Historian

Mr. Finch to Mr. Sherman.

Legation of the United States,
Montevideo, February 21, 1898.
No. 17.]

Sir: I have the pleasure to transmit herewith a note of condolence from the minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Uruguay deploring the calamity which befell the American war ship Maine, and expressing sympathy with the United States Government; also a telegram of condolence and sympathy from the minister of foreign affairs for the Republic of Paraguay, referring to the same calamity. I send you translations of both, and also copies of my reply.

Your obedient servant,

W. R. Finch.
[Inclosure in No. 17.]
[Telegram of condolence from Paraguay.]
Asuncion, February 19, 1898.

The President of the Republic has charged me to express to your excellency his most sincere condolences for the lamentable accident of the Maine. The Paraguayan people join the American people in deploring the accident that has afflicted that noble nation in the loss of the brave sailors that have succumbed in the horrible catastrophe.

I salute your excellency with my most distinguished consideration.

José S. Decond.

[Reply to Paraguay’s message.]

My Dear Sir: The sentiments of sympathy expresssd in your dispatch of the 19th instant will be appreciated by the American people. The disaster to the American war ship Maine, attended as it was by the loss of nearly 300 human lives, has assumed the proportions of a national bereavement, and the President would be lacking in feeling and appreciation if he were not touched by these sincere expressions of sympathy from the representatives of other peoples and nations, of which yours is a notable example.

Permit me to thank you for the President and people of the United States, who will join me in hoping that your people and country may continue to enjoy the blessings of peace, freedom, and exemption from calamities.

I have the honor to be, very sincerely, yours.