No. 322.
Mr. Frelinhuysen to Mr. Halderman.
Washington, May 31, 1884.
Sir: The Department’s instruction No. 45, of April 29 last, will have apprised you of its action in respect of the expected special mission from Siam. Since then, the mission has reached our shores in safety, and the preparations outlined in the Department’s previous instruction for the reception of the Siamese were fully observed.
I may now, in continuation of that subject, briefly refer to what has been done for the pleasure of the mission, since its arrival in the United States up to the present time.
As stated in the Department’s No. 45, Rear-Admiral Rodgers, whom the President designated to receive the mission in his name, met it on the arrival of the ship and discharged the service intrusted to him with care and fidelity.
The Secretary of the Treasury kindly placed at the disposition of Rear-Admiral Rodgers a revenue-cutter belonging to this Government. In this boat, he met the ship and conveyed the mission to New York. In that city, the mission remained during Sunday (the day of its arrival) and Monday, May 3 and 4, at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, as the guest of this nation, reaching this capital on Tuesday following, where they were similarly cared for at the Arlington Hotel, for about ten days.
Immediately upon their arrival at Washington, the members of the mission were formally presented by me to the President, who expressed [Page 456] great pleasure at receiving them and warm personal sympathy for their country, between which and the United States the most amicable relations have always existed.
Every possible attention was shown the mission during its stay here, including a trip to Mount vernon, on the United States steamer Despatch, in order to manifest our lively interest in the welfare of its members personally and our warmest sympathies for their country. Not only has the mission been the subject of these official attentions, but many courtesies have also been accorded by private citizens. These latter I have no doubt have been much appreciated and contributed in no small degree to the pleasure and comfort of the individual members.
The mission has lately returned to New York, whose citizens have also manifested great appreciation for it. It is understood that the mission will leave that city early next week on a westward tour, which may extend as far as the Pacific coast.
Mr. Isaac T. Smith, the consul of Siam at New York, and whose efforts and services have been constantly exerted for the welfare of His Majesty’s subjects since their arrival in the United States, has informed the Department that the mission intended visiting Philadelphia Monday next.
I at once addressed the mayor upon the subject, asking that an officer of the city government meet, if possible, the mission and escort it to the various places of interest, as but one day’s time was available. The superintendent of the United States Mint was also addressed and requested to extend to the mission upon its arrival every possible opportunity for examining whatever might prove of interest.
I apprehend that these precautions will be all that is necessary to render their trip to Philadelphia one of success and pleasure.
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I am, &c.,