Mr. Thiébaut to Mr. Hay.

[Translation.]

Mr. Secretary of State: As you are aware, the statue of Lafayette, which the Congress at Washington and the children of the American schools have presented to France, will be inaugurated at Paris on the 4th of this month.

On the eve of this ceremony the minister of foreign affairs directs me to express to the American Government the gratitude felt by the Government of the Republic in receiving this monument, destined to perpetuate souvenirs of glory to which France and the United States have been and will remain equally attached.

I am happy to be the interpreter to your excellency of these sentiments, and I avail myself of this occasion to renew, etc.

Thiébaut.