The Portland daily press., 1881-12-23
SPANS WELCOME.

Cordial Reception of Minister Hamlin by
King Alfonso's Court-The Address
NEW YORK, Dec. 22-The Herald's Madrid
special says: At IL o'clock yesterday Gen.
Fairchild was received by King Alfonso to
present his letter of recall. His Majesty and
Queen Christina conversed with the general
for more than thirty minutes and expressed re-
gret at his departure. Both desired Gen.
Fairchild to express to the widow and mother
of Gen, Garfield deep sympathy for their great
loss and sympathy for the American people.
Both said how anxiousy they had followed the
story of Garfield's last sufferings Gen. Fair
child left the royal presence much touched:
His departure is regretted il diplomatic and
political circles, where his quiet and sincere
manners had won him much popularity. AT
half-past IL the State carriages, with eauer-
ries, outriders and splendid team, took MIR.
Hamlin and Secretary Reed to the palace,
where they were received with the usual hon.
ors by the guard and household. The audi
ence took place in the presence OF the court
ministers and ladies in waiting. The King,
length to Mr. Hamlin in English, all alluding
touchingly to the death of Garfield and express
sing a desire to preserve kindly relations with
America and President Arthur. Seldom have
the King and court made such kind well
come to a foreign minister. Inc speech OF
Mr. Hamlin produced an excellent impression.
He said: "Your Majesty has been graciously
pleased to accord me this audience for the pur-
pose of presenting letters of the President OF the
United States accrediting me as his envoy ex-
traordinary and minister plenlpctentlary near
the government of Your Majesty. In present.
ing my letters of credence / am charged by
nv government with the pleasant duty of as
surfing Your Majesty of the continued and
abiding friendship entertained for Your Males-
ty by the President and people OF the United
States and their sincere wish for the happiness
and prosperity of Your Majesty and the Span
ish nation. The undisturbed peace and friend
ship which have always existed between the
United States and Spain may be q matter OF
just pride to each nation respectively, and IN
the discharge of my official duties it will be
my pleasure as well as duty not only to perpet-
uate, but if possible to strengthen, those
friendly relations, and If in the discharge OF
these duties shall be able to meet the appro-
baton of my own government ana Inc sAIis-
faction of that of Your Majesty, as has been
done by my Immediate distinguished prodeces-
sors, shall be highly grati6ed, and In my en-
deavor 10 that end l shall rely greatly upon
Your Majesty's government for the courtesy
for which it is SO traditional.
"The President and people OF the united
States will ever hold in cherished remembrance
the touching and tender lei ter OF coincidence
communicated by Your Majesty to Mrs. Gar
field on the occasion of the death OF her hus-
band, the late lamented President. They are
alike deeply grateful for the Christian sympa-
thy expressed by Her Majesty the Queen, by
your royal family, by Your Majesty.s govern
ment and by the Spanish people during his
long and painful illness Such acts OF Chris
tian sympathy do more to bind nations in har-
mony and amicable relations than diplomacy,
however skilful, is able to- accomplish, 1t
demonstrates the brotherhood of man and the
kipship of nations as we'll as of individuals.
have now the honor to place in the hands OF
Your Majesty my letters of credence, and in
SO doing beg to express personally my earnest
and sincere wish for the happiness and prosper
itv of Your Majesty, of Her Majesty the
Queen and of Your Majesty royal family"