Mr. Choate to Mr.
Hay.
American Embassy,
London, July 19,
1902.
No. 900.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith copy
of a circular note, which I have received from the Marquis of Lansdowne,
stating that this Government deprecates the sending of special
ambassadors from
[Page 507]
foreign
countries to the postponed coronation, which is now fixed to take place
on the 9th of August; and that they will expect foreign Governments to
be represented by their ambassadors and ministers accredited to this
country.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Lord Lansdowne
to Mr. Choate.
Foreign Office, July 17, 1902.
Your Excellency: I have the honor to inform
you that, by the King’s commands, I have instructed His Majesty’s
representatives in states which had accredited envoys to represent
them at His Majesty’s coronation, to express to those Governments
the profound regret which the King felt at being compelled, by his
illness, to allow them to leave this country without offering them
his thanks in person for the compliment which their appointment
conveyed.
The improvement in the King’s health gives reason to hope that his
coronation may take place in the course of a few weeks. It will not,
however, be possible to carry out the original programme, and the
ceremony will be performed with as much simplicity as the
circumstances will allow.
His Majesty would, consequently, deprecate any special missions being
sent from foreign countries to attend it, and would prefer that they
should be represented on the occasion by their resident ambassadors
and ministers at this court.
I have, etc.,
