Mr. Hill to Mr. Vignaud.

No. 938.]

Sir: I inclose a copy of a letter from the War Department relative to the courtesies extended to Capt. T. Bentley Mott, U. S. A., military attaché, the official representative of the United States at the recent French maneuvers, by Colonel de Fontenilliat, who was in charge of the foreign officers, and his assistants, and reciting the thoughtfulness and delicacy on the part of General Brugère, commanding the French army, at a dinner to the foreign officers, in not offering the usual toasts to the sovereigns and chiefs of state whose representatives were present, owing to the death of President McKinley.

It is desired to have you express this Government’s thanks for the courtesies extended to Captain Mott, and its profound appreciation of the action of General Brugère on the occasion referred to.

I am, etc.,

David J. Hill,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure.]

Mr. Sanger to Mr. Hay.

Sir: I have the honor to request that the American ambassador at Paris, France, may be instructed to express in appropriate terms to the French Government the high appreciation by this Department of the many courtesies extended to Capt. T. Bentley Mott, military attaché, the official representative of the United States Army, while attending the recent French grand autumn maneuvers, and especially the polite attentions shown to him by Colonel de Fontenilliat, who had charge of the foreign officers, and his assistants.

The thoughtful and delicate action in memory of the death of President McKinley on the part of General Brugère, the general commanding the army, on the occasion of the dinner to the foreign officers, in not offering the usual toast to the sovereigns and chiefs of state whose officers were present, and directing that the regimental music should not play during the dinner as a mark of respect to the official representative of the United States Army, is profoundly appreciated by this Department.

Very respectfully,

Wm. Carey Sanger,
Acting Secretary of War.