File No. 811.415 C35/35.]
The Acting Secretary of State to the French Ambassador .
Washington , April 17, 1912 .
The Acting Secretary of State presents his compliments to the Ambassador of the French Republic and has the honor to inform him, in reply to the Ambassador’s note of the 6th instant, that instructions were issued to the Collector of Customs at New York, on the 12th instant, directing him to expedite the landing and examination of the baggage of the French Delegates who are coming to this country for the purpose of delivering to the Champlain Committee a bust by Rodin destined to ornament the monument in course of construction at Crown Point, upon their arrival at New York City on or about the 26th instant, per the S. S. La France.
Note.—The delegation arrived at New York April 26 and in Washington April 28, where they were received by M. Peretti de la Rocca, Counselor of the French Embassy, and Mr. Chandler Hale, Acting Secretary of State, and the President’s Aide. The President, who was absent from Washington, caused the Dolphin to be placed at the disposal of the delegation on April 29, on which day they visited Mount Vernon, M. Hanotaux placing a wreath on the tomb of Washington; accompanying the party on this occasion were the Acting Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, the Assistant Secretary of War, General Wood, and other officials. The President returned to Washington and entertained the delegates at luncheon on April 30 at the White House. On May 1 they were officially welcomed by State officials of New York and Vermont at dinner in New York City. On May 3 the delegation participated in the ceremonies at Lake Champlain, after visiting the various points of interest there. The bust of La France was fixed in its place at the base of the monument and the chief of the delegation, M. Hanotaux, delivered an address of presentation, to which responses were made by the Governors of New York and Vermont, and others.
On the bronze background of the high-relief bust thus presented is the following inscription:
Le 20 juillet 1609 le français S. Champlain a découvert le lac qui porte son nom. Le 3 mai 1912, les États-Unis d’Amerique élevant ce monument, une délégation française a scellé cette figure de “La France.”