823.415 Ay 1/2

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Peru (Poindexter)

No. 78

Sir: I enclose, with office copy and also a copy for the Embassy’s files, a sealed letter from the President to the President of Peru, in acknowledgment of the invitation extended on February 14, 1924, by [Page 593] His Excellency to the President to take part personally in the festivities with which the Peruvian Government and people purpose to celebrate on the 9th of December of this year the centennial of the battle of Ayacucho.

You will please forward the office copy to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and deliver the original letter in the manner most agreeable to President Leguia.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
Joseph C. Grew
[Enclosure]

President Coolidge to President Leguía

Great and Good Friend: I have had the pleasure to receive the very kind invitation which Your Excellency did me the honor to extend to me on February 14, 1924, to take part personally in the festivities with which the Peruvian Government and people purpose to celebrate on the ninth of December of this year the centennial of the battle of Ayacucho. The invitation has been received with high appreciation of Your Excellency’s courtesy, and I ask you to be so good as to accept my cordial thanks therefor.

It would give me much pleasure, indeed, could I by a visit to your country on the occasion mentioned be an eyewitness of the great progress Peru has made in its century of independence, and make in person the acquaintance of Your Excellency and of the friendly people of Peru, for whom I entertain the most cordial good will. This pleasure, I regret to say, must be denied me, especially since the festivities will occur at the same time as the opening days of the next session of the Congress of the United States, when my presence in Washington will be imperative. I shall, however, in spirit participate in the rejoicings of the Peruvian people, to whom and to Your Excellency I offer my congratulations on the prosperity and happiness enjoyed by the Peruvian nation, and my best wishes that the years to come may have in store for your country a still larger measure of blessings.

Your Good Friend.

Calvin Coolidge

By the President:
Charles E. Hughes
Secretary of State