Mr. Choate to Mr. Hay.
London, January 23, 1901.
Sir: Her Illustrious Majesty the Queen closed her long and splendid career at half past 6 o’clock yesterday afternoon at Osborne, in the Isle of Wight. Although she had been in declining health for some months, it was not generally known until she was seized with a fatal illness a few days ago. She died surrounded by her children and grandchildren, including the Emperor of Germany, whose coining on this pious pilgrimage has made a deep impression here. She commanded, as no other personage of modern times has done, the affectionate homage of mankind, and I am glad to see that the people of the United States are foremost among her admirers outside the British Empire.
Near midnight I received your instructions to express to Lord Lansdowne the sympathy of the Government and people of the United States, with which I have already complied by addressing to his lordship a note (copy inclosed).
The new King enters upon his reign with the good will not of his own subjects only, but of all the world. He is at this moment (2 p. m.) holding his first council, and to-morrow at 10 o’clock he will be proclaimed.
The President’s tender message of sympathy to the King has been highly appreciated here.
I have, etc.,