The Acting Secretary of
State to the Diplomatic and Consular
Officers of the United States.
Department of State,
Washington, July 3,
1905.
Gentlemen: I append a copy of the proclamation
of the President concering the death of the Hon. John Hay, Secretary of
State.
In obedience to this proclamation, and as a mark of respect to the memory
of the deceased statesman, and in tribute to his distinguished services,
you will cause the flag of the United States to be displayed at
half-mast over your respective offices for a period of ten days.
I am, etc.
[Page 7]
[Inclosure.]
A proclamation by the President of the United
States.
John Hay, Secretary of State of the United States, died on July 1st.
His death, a crushing sorrow to his friends, is to the people of
this country a national bereavement; and it is in addition a serious
loss to all mankind, for to him it was given to stand as a leader in
the effort to better world conditions by striving to advance the
cause of international peace and justice. He entered the public
service as the trusted and intimate companion of Abraham Lincoln,
and for well nigh forty-five years he served his country with loyal
devotion and high ability in many positions of honor and trust, and
finally he crowned his life work by serving as Secretary of State
with such far-sighted reading of the future and such loyalty to
lofty ideals as to confer lasting benefits not only upon our own
country, but upon all the nations of the earth.
As a suitable expression of national mourning, I direct that the
diplomatic representatives of the United States in all foreign
countries display the flags over their embassies and legations at
half-mast for ten days; that for a like period the flag of the
United States be displayed at half-mast at all forts and military
posts and at all naval stations and on all vessels of the United
States.
I further order that on the day of the funeral the Executive
Departments-in the city of Washington be closed, and that on all
public buildings throughout the United States the national flag be
displayed at half-mast.
Done at the city of
Washington
this
third day of July, A. D. 1905, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the one hundred and
twenty-ninth.
[
seal.]
Theodore Roosevelt.
By the President:
Herbert H. D.
Peirce,
Acting Secretary of
State.
