The Acting Secretary of State to Ambassador White.
Washington, July 21, 1906.
Sir: Mr. Charles C. Harrison, the provost of the University of Pennsylvania, called at this department on the 17th instant and handed to me two letters (copies of which I inclose) from the Italian ambassador, Baron Mayor des Planches, accepting on behalf of his Sovereign, the King of Italy, the degree of doctor of laws conferred by the University of Pennsylvania, by authority previously communicated to the university by His Majesty through his ambassador on commencement day, June 13, 1906.
In one of these letters the ambassador states that the etiquette of the Italian court is that the diploma indicative of the degree should be handed to His Majesty by the American ambassador at Rome.
You will therefore ask for an audience with His Majesty the King of Italy and will deliver to him, on behalf of the University of Pennsylvania, the diploma and hood indicative of the degree, which will be sent to you in the same pouch that carries this instruction.
I am, etc.,