If it will suit your convenience I shall be pleased to perform this gratifying duty at such place as you may name, at 5 o'clock on the afternoon of Thursday, the 6th instant, and I shall be pleased if you will convey the contents of this communication to your brother and son, and invite them to be present with such other members of your family as you desire to witness the ceremony. With assurances, etc., A. LOUDON SNOWDEN. [Inclosure No. 2 in No. 3.-Translation.] MADRID, October 5, 1892. EXCELLENCY: I have had the honor of receiving the polite invitation in which your excellency is pleased to inform me of the commission intrusted to you by the Government and the people of the United States of America on the occasion of the resolution recently adopted in regard to myself, my brother, the Marquis of Barboles, and our families, inviting us to the inauguration of the exhibition which will take place in the city of Chicago, in the State of Illinois, on the 1st of May, 1893. This testimony of respectful deference to the memory of the discoverer of America, whose unworthy representative I am, is very pleasant to me, and it will be for my family an honorable distinction which it will always remember and will serve to render livelier our sympathies for your great nation. We will, therefore, be most delighted to wait for you on next Thursday, at the time you had the kindness to appoint, and to know through so honored a channel the terms of the invitation with which the Congress has distinguished us. On such a signal occasion, we have the honor to be your obedient servant. [Inclosure No. 3 in No. 3.] Remarks of Mr. Snowden. HONORED SIR: I am instructed by my Government to present to your grace, to your brother, the Marquis de Barboles, to your son, and the other members of your immediate family, copies of a resolution unanimously adopted by the Congress of the United States at its last session. This resolution, which I am commissioned to deliver into your hands, embodies the sentiments of the people and Government I have the honor to represent at this court, and gives expression to the earnest desire universally entertained in the United States that, during the approaching ceremonies which are to commemorate the discovery of a New World, you and your kindred should become guests of the nation which enjoys the largest benefits from the achievements of your illustrious ancestor. We deem it especially appropriate that the living descendants of Christopher Columbus should be present at the celebration to share in the honor that the world will pay to the memory of a man who, as the letter which accompanies the resolution so justly declares, stands preeminent in American history. You may rest assured, sir, that from the moment you reach our shores you and your family will be the guests of an appreciative and patriotic people, whose hands will be outstretched in a cordial welcome, and whose hearts and homes will be open to receive you. This invitation is not a mere formality, but, on the contrary, an expression of the earnest wish of my countrymen that you accept their hospitality and become their honored guests. In the eelebration which is to commemorate the four hundredth anniversary of the greatest event in all history, it is proposed to illustrate the advance made within that period in the arts and sciences, in the development of the world's resources, as well as the intellectual and moral growth of the great mass of humanity. On this memorable occasion every nation will be represented, and the civilization of the Old World, following the course of your ancestor, will meet in friendly rivalry with that of the New in a city which typifies, perhaps more than any other, the enterprise, the wealth, and the genius of the American people. No nobler tribute could be offered to the achievement of man than will be pre. sented in this majestic assembling of the nations. I fully appreciate the privilege and honor that this occasion confers upon me, in being the medium of conveying to you and your family an invitation that carries with it an offer of unbounded hospitality of sixty-five millions of people. [Inclosure No. 4 in No. 3.-Translation.] Remarks of the Duke of Veragua. Mr. MINISTER: The distinction with which I have been honored by the President of the Republic of the United States of America, on making use of the authorization which was given to him by the Chambers, affords to me the gratification of knowing the feelings of that people towards my family. The Chicago Exposition being intended to commemorate the fourth centenary of the discovery of the New World, by celebrating that transcendant event in history, is of capital interest in the history of America, and pays just homage to the glory of Columbus, whose unworthy representative I am by direct line. The remembrance of the great celebration which will take place next year in the city of Chicago would always be pleasant to us; but the considerate kindness of which we are the recipients, through you, constitutes the highest honor that could be conferred, and we can only meet it by accepting the kind invitation of the American people, unless some cause superior to our will should prevent. I request you, Mr. Minister, to make known to your Government our feelings of gratefulness, and receive our high consideration, which also is extended to the distinguished persons who accompany you on this occasion. No 6.] Mr. Snowden to Mr. Foster. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Madrid, October 20, 1892. (Received November 8.) SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I have this day returned to Madrid from assisting at the fourth centenary celebrations in Huelva and Sevilla in commemoration of the discovery of America. The official invitation to be present at these ceremonies, indicated the 9th instant as the desired date for the arrival of the foreign representatives in Huelva, and it was on the evening of that date that I reached Huelva, accompanied by Mr. MacNutt, the secretary of legation, Lieut. McCarthy Little, the naval attaché, and the official messenger. The representatives of the South and Central American Republics and of Portugal were also guests of the Government, and the ambas sador of the King of Italy likewise. No other members of the diplo matic corps were invited. The only Latin-American plenipotentiary not present was the Mexican minister, who, it was stated, had been detaiued in Madrid by duties connected with the Mexican exhibit and a certain congress, held at this same time. On the 10th, which fell on a Monday, the Queen Regent and the King, together with the Infantas and the entire court, the ministers of state and of marine, and others arrived from Cadiz, their Majesties being on board the Conde de Venedito and escorted to the bar of the Huelva harbor by the greater ships of such navies as were represented in Cadiz; amongst these, and first in the line, was the United States cruiser Newark, with Admiral Benham on board. The Government had placed a man-of-war at the disposition of the diplomatic and other representatives in Huelva, and it was on board this ship, in company with the president of the council, Señor Canovas del Castillo, that we went down to the bar to meet the sovereigns. The customary salutes were fired from all the ships as the Conde de Venedito passed into the harbor, closely followed by such of the smaller vessels, whose tonnage not being too great, as could pass the bar. Amongst these was the Spanish-built nao Santa Maria and our own caravels. The queen and king, with those in attendance, debarked at the landing stage of Santa Maria de la Rabida and proceeded in carriages to the convent, whither the archbishop coadjutor of Sevilla, the bishops of Badajoz and of Burgos, Franciscans, and a large body of clergy, and the civic and military authorities of Huelva had already gone to receive them. At the convent a Te Deum was sung in the church and a luncheon served. The diplomatic corps meanwhile came ashore and awaited the return of the Queen from the convent. A place was reserved upon the pier and the corps was joined by the foreign admirals and commanders and other personages in their respective places. Upon her return to the landing stage, the Queen stopped and spoke to several of the diplomatic corps before going on board her ship. The following day the ceremonies at which we were invited to assist consisted of a reception held by the Queen in the town hall, followed by the review of a civic procession composed of cars representing the arts, trades, and sciences, and at the conclusion of which Her Majesty sat down to luncheon with the diplomatic representatives, the president of the council, and the minister of state. At 5 o'clock the Queen closed in person the congress of Americanistas and in the evening a second and largely attended reception was held. At this reception such heads of missions as had commanders of squadrons to present were received first, and the minister having presented admiral or first officer in rank, he in his turn presented the officers of his squadron. There were but two admirals present, i. e., the admiral of the Italian squadron and Admiral Benham, U. S. Navy. Admiral Benham was afterwards asked to sup at the Queen's table, a mark of favor which an indisposition prevented the Italian admiral from sharing with him. On the 12th of October, the ceremony of dedicating the monument commemorating the discovery of America, which has been erected before the gates of the convent of Sta. Maria de la Rabida, was performed with much pomp and solemnity in the presence of the Queen and King and all the representatives of foreign powers and an immense concourse of people. The religious function began by a Te Deum in the Convent church, at which a large representation of distinguished clergy assisted the Archbishop of Sevilla, and was concluded by the customary rites of the Catholic church at the base of the monument. An address was delivered by a member of the Columbian society of Huelva and another by the bishop of Badajoz. The Queen then transferred to the Franciscan Order the convent and its property, to be by royal charter in their perpetual custody. Christopher Columbus, Duke of Veragua, was then decorated with the collar of the Golden Fleece. The duke was not present in person. The official ceremonies were concluded by the act of dedication. The Queen afterwards visited Palos and Moguer, and there were illuminations of the town and harbor in the evening. On the 13th the journey to Sevilla was made. Certain of the foreign ships went up the river to Sevilla, and also the Queen's vessel. Her Majesty and all the court people and diplomats went by train. A stay of three days had been planned in Sevilla before proceeding on to Granada. This plan was completely upset by the illness of His Majesty the King. This indisposition, while not of gravity to cause serious alarm, con fined and does confine the King to his bed, and has caused the indefinite postponement of the finishing ceremonies in Granada, and, by delaying these and the return of the Queen to Madrid, has also deferred the opening of the exhibition here fixed for the 21st instant. The festivities in Sevilla were naturally somewhat marred by this regrettable event and the evident anxiety it was causing the Queen. There was a gala night at the opera, a military torch light procession, a reception at the palace, banquet illuminations, and other functions, as originally planned. At the conclusion of these, and in the absence of any certain knowledge as to when the court might be able to move on to Granada, I followed the example of the Italian ambassador and other colleagues, and renouncing my original intention of being present until the conclusion of these celebrations, left Sevilla yesterday, the 19th, and, as before stated, arrived in this capital this morning. The Spanish Government may be congratulated upon the successful issue of these festivities in Huelva, which, indeed, passed off with no untoward event or accident. The untimely illness of the King has been the only drawback to the national jubilation. I have, etc., A. LOUDON SNOWDEN. No. 25.] Mr. Foster to Mr. Snowden. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: I take this opportunity at the beginning of your mission to instruct you specially with respect to the pending differences between this Government and the Government of Spain relative to American missionaries at Ponape, in the Caroline Islands. No sooner did the Spanish Government assume authority over these islands, in 1887, than the rights of the American missionaries, who for thirty-five years had resided there in peace, began to be seriously infringed. Their persons were molested, their lands seized, and their buildings and mission premises finally destroyed. In November, 1890, having been burned out of house and home, and inhibited from doing any Christian work, they were temporarily removed as a measure of prudence to Kusiaec Island, 300 miles distant, to await the settlement of their difficulties. This removal was accomplished by Commander Taylor, of the U. S. S. Alliance, who had been sent to Ponape to make a full investigation. A copy of his report accompanied the Department's full instruction of October 6, 1891. You will attentively study that instruction and report, and the other correspondence on file in your legation with respect to this matter, in order that you may thoroughly familiarize yourself with all the details of this unfortunate affair. On the 16th of January last, Mr. Grubb transmitted to the Department a copy of a note received from the Duke of Tetuan, dated January 11, being the reply of his Government to Mr. Newberry's note of the 4th of November preceding. In acknowledging the same March 24, it was stated that "setting aside the arguments advanced to disclaim the responsibility of the Spanish Government in this regard, and for the deportation of Mr. Doane, the purport of the note seems to be that the reëstablishment of the mission will be permitted, and that on receipt of advices still awaited, the question of personal indemnification to Mr. Doane will be adjusted on satisfactory terms." The language of the Duke of Tetuan's note in this regard is not so specific as might be desired, but it was understood that he assented to the return of the missionaries and the full resumption of their work. Indeed no other course could accord with the distinct assurances which the Spanish Government has repeatedly given the Government of the United States of its purpose to respect the rights and privileges of American citizens in the Caroline Islands, and in particular of the American missionaries. In resuming their benevolent enterprise this Government relies upon the assurance of the minister of state to your legation October 15, 1885, that "nothing was farther from the intention of the Spanish Government than to seek to hamper or embarrass in the slightest degree the work of Christianizing and teaching," in which these missionaries were engaged, "it being determined, on the contrary, to favor and permit such beneficent results to the extent of its ability." (Foreign Relations, 1886, p. 833.) If the local authorities of Ponape have not already been informed of the renewed purpose of Her Majesty's Government to permit and foster the resumption of their praiseworthy labors, you will ask that proper instructions in that sense may be sent them without delay. The secretary of the American board of commissioners for foreign missions, under date of the 20th ultimo, has informed me that their missionary vessel has called at Ponape with the missionaries once or twice within the past two years, and that while the governor has personally borne himself with all due courtesy, he has declared himself unable to give the missionaries welcome back until he has authority from Spain. As soon as you can obtain information that appropriate orders have been sent to the governor you will immediately notify me. I regret that the Duke of Tetuan should have thought it necessary to reiterate the charges against the missionaries of abetting or aiding the natives' resistance to Spanish authority. They were formulated, as he says, in the letter of the politico-military governor of the Eastern Carolines to Commander Taylor, October 25, 1891, but the charges were then unsupported by the production of evidence and they remain so now. They are sufficiently negatived by the very circumstances of the case. Not only do the instructions of the home society expressly forbid all interference by the missionaries with the political affairs of the country where they dwell, but in fact when the rising of the natives first occurred in June, 1890, Mr. Rand had been absent from the island eighteen months and the venerable Mr. Doane some five months. The only white persons connected with the mission who were present were two lady teachers. Were it conceivable that they were capable of exercising malicious political influence over the natives, any intelligent white person must have known that the resistance of the natives to Spanish authority was perfectly hopeless and that political disorder would only retard and perhaps undo, as it in fact so largely has done, the work to which for thirty-five years the American missionaries at Ponape had devoted their lives. Every possible interest of theirs was on the side of law and order and the efforts of Miss Palmer and Mrs. Cole, and, after his return, of Mr. Rand also, to restore quiet, deserves praise and recognition, not complaint. The Spanish priest, Father Augustine, and his assistant owe their lives and their escape from the fury of the mob to these ladies and some of their native friends. But furthermore, the charges referred to are fully met by the positive |