811.3382/31a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Liberia (Walton)
40. 1. The Department believes that the visit of the U. S. S. Boise to Monrovia from October 24 to 29 [27] would afford an unusually appropriate opportunity to dedicate the site for the new Legation building. While the time is, of course, too short in which to inaugurate actual construction work, there seems to be no reason why a simple ceremony should not be held, such as the raising of a flag or the symbolic laying of a cornerstone. You might also wish on that occasion to deliver a brief address referring to the new chapter in American-Liberian friendship opened by the construction of a permanent Legation building.
2. In order to proceed with the plans for the cruiser’s visit, it is essential that the Department obtain at the earliest moment at least a substantial portion of the information outlined in its telegram No. 37, August 31, 8 p.m.38 Please make every effort to transmit by telegraph [Page 822] within the next few days a report as to the data desired. However, should it prove impossible to reach an early understanding as to the availability of the Camp Johnson property, the Department considers that the dedicatory exercises could as a last resort be held at Mamba Point, even if that site is later exchanged for the one at Camp Johnson.
3. In addition to the building ceremonies, the Department desires to take advantage of the occasion to present the Liberian Government with the surviving portions of the material from which the first flag of Liberia was made. This historic relic has for many years been in the possession of the Phelps-Stokes Fund, which has agreed to donate the bunting as a special gesture of good-will to Liberia at this time. Further details in connection with the proposed presentation will be sent you in due course.
4. You will recall that our first Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with Liberia, signed in 1862, was ratified and proclaimed in 1863, so that the recent signing of our new treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation coincides with the seventy-fifth anniversary of the initiation of treaty relationships between Liberia and the United States. In view of this fact, as well as the long period which has elapsed since the last courtesy visit of an American naval vessel to Monrovia, and considering the great progress made by Liberia during the interval, it is hoped that the visit of the Boise will be a landmark in the history of the relations between the two countries. With this in mind, the Department contemplates issuing a press release as soon as arrangements for the visit and attendant ceremonies are further advanced.
5. You may communicate any of the foregoing to President Barclay in your discretion, but for the present no publicity should be given in Liberia to the forthcoming events.
- Not printed.↩