Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1905

Minister Collier to the Acting Secretary of State.

American Legation,
Madrid, July 3, 1905.

No. 20.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, at 11.40 p.m. on the 1st instant, of your cable, reading:

“Secretary Hay died unexpectedly at twelve twenty-five this morning. Notify government and display usual symbols of mourning.”

“Peirce.”

I immediately dispatched a note to the Spanish minister or state, conveying to him the sad intelligence of Secretary Hay’s death, and I instructed the janitor to half-mast the flag of the legation and to display the usual symbols of mourning.

* * * * * * *

I have received from the minister of state a letter, copy and translation of which I inclose.

* * * * * * *

I have, etc.,

Wm. Miller Collier.

[Inclosure—Translation.]

The Minister of State to Minister Collier.

July 2, 1905.

Excellency: I have learned with deep regret, through your excellency’s courteous letter of yesterday, of the unexpected death of Mr. John Hay, the United States Secretary of State, of which misfortune I had been acquainted by telegraph.

In declaring to your excellency my profound grief for so grievous a loss which has been sustained by your excellency and by the American Government, I wish in the name of His Majesty’s Government and in my own name to express heartfelt sorrow.

I avail, etc.,

F. Sanchez Roman.