893.00 Tibet/77
The Dalai Lama of Tibet to President Roosevelt
Dear Mr. President: We received with the greatest gratification your letter and the tokens of goodwill (your autographed photo and an exquisite gold watch showing phases of the moon and the days of the week) through your Envoys, Capt. I. Tolstoy and Lieut. Brooke Dolan, who arrived here safely for the purpose of visiting the Pontificate and the city of Lhasa.
We are happy to learn that you and the people of the United States of America take great interest in our country and it is of special significance that the people of the United States of America, in association with those of 27 other countries, are now engaged in a war for the preservation of freedom, which has been thrust upon them by nations bent on conquest who are intent upon destroying freedom of thought, of religion, and of action everywhere.
Tibet also values her freedom and independence enjoyed from time immemorial and being the great seat of the Buddhist religion I am endeavoring, in spite of my tender age, to uphold and propagate our religious precepts and thereby emulate the pious work of my predecessors. I earnestly hope and pray for a speedy termination of hostilities so that the nations of the world may enjoy a lasting and righteous peace, based on the principles of freedom and goodwill.
As a token of my regard I am sending herewith a scarf of honour, three Tibetan coins of the first precious metal (gold), my photo, and three hand sewn thangas (depicting the sextet blessed with long existence, the 4 dutiful brothers (friends), and the 8 lucky signs, all framed in blue brocade silk, etc.).
Yours sincerely,