Mr. Hay to Mr. Leishman.
Washington, February 25, 1903.
(Replying to Mr. Leishman’s telegram of February 24, Mr. Hay states that the Government of the United States recognizes the established right of the diplomatic representative of a foreign Government to ask audience of the President in order to present a personal message from his sovereign, and claims the same right for its envoys abroad. This right pertains to the comity of direct intercourse between the chiefs of sovereign States and does not depend on the grade of the diplomatic representative who conveys the message. Bearing such a message the agent has the ambassadorial right of audience to present it. It can not be denied without giving grave cause of offense to the sender.
Mr. Leishman is therefore instructed to demand audience of the Sultan to deliver a personal message from the President.)