Mr. Clayton to Mr.
Hay.
Embassy
of the United States,
Mexico, September 27,
1899.
No. 356.]
Sir: Having been informed by Mr. Mariscal, last
Monday, that the President had decided that day not to visit Chicago,
but to send him (Mr. Mariscal) as his personal representative, I
immediately telegraphed the Department, in cipher, as follows:
The President will not visit Chicago. Minister for foreign
affairs goes instead.
I sent this dispatch in cipher because I had reason to believe that the
information thus conveyed was in advance of the information sent by the
Mexican Government to Mr. Charles U. Gordon, chairman of the invitation
committee at Chicago, and to the Mexican ambassador at Washington.
Upon receipt of Mr. Hill’s message of yesterday, reading:
Is Señor Mariscal personal representative of President? Where
does he cross the frontier?
I obtained the requisite information, and answered as
follows:
Mariscal goes as personal representative of President, via Eagle
Pass.
I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy and translation of a note
from Mr. Mariscal, under date of yesterday, received to-day,
transmitting to me a copy of a communication addressed by President Diaz
to Mr. Charles U. Gordon, of Chicago, copy and translation inclosed, in
which communication the President states the reasons [Page 509] that caused him to abandon his visit to
Chicago, and informs Mr. Gordon that he has designated Mr. Ignacio
Mariscal, secretary for foreign affairs, to represent him there.
I have just received Mr. Hill’s telegraphic instruction of to-day,
reading as follows:
The President charges you to appropriately express his sincere
regrets that President Diaz is prevented from carrying out his
intention to visit Chicago on the occasion of the corner-stone
celebration, and to assure President Diaz of his sympathy for
Señora Diaz’s illness and his hope for a speedy recovery. You
will add that Señor Mariscal, as the personal representative of
President Diaz, will receive every consideration due to his
distinguished office and representative character.
I have arranged for an interview with the President at the National
Palace at 5 o’clock this afternoon, at which time I will comply with
said instruction.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Mr. Mariscal to
Mr. Clayton.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Mexico, September 26, 1899.
Mr. Ambassador: I have the honor to send to
your excellency a copy of 1he letter which, under date of yesterday,
the President of the Republic addressed to Mr. Charles U. Gordon,
stating the reasons why he excuses himself from assisting at the
festivities which will take place in Chicago, and designating me to
represent him.
I avail myself, etc.,
[Subinclosure.—Translation.]
President Diaz
to Mr. Gordon.
Mexico, September 25,
1899.
My Dear Sir: In accordance with my promise
to you and your honorable associates of the committee, made at the
time when an invitation to attend the coming festivities in Chicago
was so courteously presented to me, shortly after the opening of the
regular session of Congress I applied for the necessary leave to go
outside of the national territory. It was granted immediately,
undoubtedly with the object of taking advantage of the occasion to
increase and strengthen the friendly relations of the two countries.
Nothing seemed to interfere with the realization of my wishes, which
had already been expressed, to respond, by my immediate acceptance,
to the kind terms in which the invitation was couched, Now, however,
they are unfortunately opposed by the consideration, among others,
that during my absence motives of delicacy on the part of my
substitute and of all the members of the cabinet would prevent their
dispatching several important matters now pending and in which delay
could not fail to be prejudicial.
And besides, my wife’s health has been recently affected, and
although serious consequences are not apprehended, it is the opinion
of the physicians that her illness may be prolonged, all of which
causes me to fear that some unexpected attack might occur.
These reasons compel me, much to my regret, not to take advantage of
the leave granted by Congress, and to beg chat you will make my
excuses to the governor of Illinois and the mayor of Chicago, and to
each and every one of the persons who so kindly invited me and to
whom I am profoundly grateful for their courtesy and attention. I
will never forget the honor they have personally done me, nor the
distinction accorded to Mexico by inviting me, as they have done on
this occasion, in terms exceptionally complimentary and
expressive.
And as it is not possible for me to be present in person, I have
designated Mr. Ignacio Mariscal, the secretary of foreign affairs,
recently appointed by Congress to substitute me during my prolonged
absence, to represent me at Chicago’s great festival on the 9th
proximo.
I have the pleasure to remain, your friend and servant,