[Translation.]
Sir: Amid the rewards and honorary distinctions awarded at the close of the general exhibition of fine arts of 1863 are six which have fallen to French artists, three to German artists, and two to artists of the Netherlands.
If it was not accorded to the government of the King to have the satisfaction of being able to include in this distribution one or two of those of your national artists who took part in the exhibition, it is not because the very real merit of their works was not fully appreciated.
It is to be regretted that the jury on rewards, in derogation of constant usage, abstained this time from addressing to the government a report containing a methodical and deliberate review of the whole exhibition, for, in the other case, it would have been a duty, according to assurances given to me on the subject, to have pointed out in this work, which would have received official publicity, the important significance which we were gratified to recognize in those productions at the exhibition forming the contingent from the artists of the North American United States.
I am glad that I may hope, sir, that, thanks to your kind offices, your national artists will continue by the concurrence of their talents to heighten the brilliancy and interests of our great public exhibitions of the fine arts; they will there always meet with a sympathetic reception and just appreciation.
I embrace with eagerness this occasion to offer to you the personal assurance of my sentiments of high consideration.
Mr. Sanford, Minister Resident of the U. S. of North America, Brussels.