The national Republican., 1867-12-30
A MEXICAN PLAN
PARIS EXPO oSITION
LETTER PROM MR.. c. =. CHIcKERiN0.

LETTER FROM Mr.. c. =. CHICKERlNG.
PARIS, November 10, 1857.
Ny attention has several times been called to para
graphs and extracts In American journals, stating that
the decoration Of the Legion Of Honor, which
ferrcd upon the lst OF July last the repre-
sentative Of the arm Of ChickernE Sons, award
from the Exposition Uniyerselle, twas personal
compliment that "had bought it;' that at had
nothing to do with the Exposition - that the order
had been obtained by Mr.. =. Chiekering. who pro-
cured personally, and upon personal application for
the from the French Government;' that at Is a
personal NATTER outside Of and without the slightest
connection with, the oclal awards ofthe Expositon,
that did not receive II till several days after the ls
Of Juiy,' and many other remarks Of the same ma
ture.
Knowing full we'll the source from which these state
monts emanate and, as the facts with oical proofs
had already been Published, had up to this time
sdcred II unnecessary to make any denial Of these
ports; but. ind that such statements still be-
Ing extensively copied and reproduced. feel II duty
TO myself and to the interests Of the arm Of which
am member, to make = positive denial Of all such
statements. which are evidently written and pub.
shed for the sole purpose Of giving to this award
false and detcriorated value in the opinion Of the
American public; and, In making this denial. beg
leave to call attention to the following facts;
never, In any way. either directly or indirectly,
asked for, nor did ever use any influence personal
or otherwise, to obtain this high distinction.
Ny ofhcial notification Of the award Is dated June
20, 1867, and received by me the lst Of July.
Its connection with the ocial awards Of the Bxpos
on be understood from the following extract from
the Official organ Of the French Empire, lie Monteur
Of July 1867 which, In the list Of awards. under the
head Of "CheyRliers Of the Legion Of Honor. places
among other names, that Of Monsieur Chickering,
Factor de Pianos, Exposant and Its relative valuo
be from the following extract Of the report Of
Mons. Rouher, french minis,or VI etAto, aud Vice
President Of the Imperial Commission, read before the
Emperor and the public, at the distribution Of awards
on the lst Of July:
"Thanks to an activity which has surmounted all
obstacles the decisions demanded for the jury for the
hrs OF July are all rendered. the result be pro-
distributed to tho exhibitors 81 grand prireS s3 gold
honorable mentions.
1.-THE present solemnity iscrowncd by the proelama
tion Of still higher awards.
"Your Majesty has deigucd to award to the most
eminent Of the exhibitors OF this pacific strife the I'm
pcrial Cross Of the Legion Of Honor "
Il may be that the friends and correspondents wht
rite In the interests Of other exhibitors who did
receive this award know Of the value Of the df
ferent recompenses than do those who occupy higt
positions In the management and government Of th'
| Exposition, but while have che power to base my
claims upon facts and proofs well founded as tn,
foregoing extracts shall continue to claim and
nounce, as we have already done, that tho Gross o.
the Legion OF Honor Is the Highest Award" awarded
by the 'Expostlon Uniyerselle and that Chick ernl
| 4 Sons are the only Competing Exhibitors Of Piano
| who have received the double reeompense Of tn
| "Cross Of the Legion Of Honor" and FIRST Col,
Medal.
(signcd.) C.F. CHICKERINa.