Mr. Hill to Mr. Lowther.

Sir: The pressure of public business attendant upon the death of President McKinley has delayed until now an acknowledgment of your telegram of the 14th instant conveying, by instruction of Lord Lansdowne, an expression of the sympathy of His Majesty’s Government with the Government and people of the United States and with Mrs. McKinley and the members of the late President’s family in the loss they have sustained by that sad event.

I shall be obliged if you will assure Lord Lansdowne that the condolement of His Majesty’s Government is sincerely and gratefully appreciated by Mrs. McKinley and the Government and people of the United States, who have been deeply touched by the innumerable manifestations of sorrow and sympathy they have received from His Majesty’s subjects in all parts of the world.

I have, etc.,

David J. Hill, Acting Secretary.