The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-08
Escorted by Military, Saluted by the Thun-
ders of Artillery, and Received by the
Shah with Magnificent Ceremony.
The Sudden Collapse of the Spanish
Insurrection at Badajoz.
The Officers Concerned--strict Inquiry To
Be Made--Reorganzation of Egypt
Under Lord Dufferins Plan.
A GORGEOUS SCENE.
Reception of the First American Minister
to the Court of Persia.

to the Court of Persia.
WASHINGTON, Aug is. G. w. Benjamin,
the first diplomatic representative of the
United States to Persia, gives the following
account of his reception by the Shah: "a
brilliant pageant had been prepared outside
the walls of Teheran, at one of the royal pa
vilions. At the stairway of the pavilion
Mr.. Benjamin was met by Nasr ell Mulls,
or general-in- chief of the armies of Persia,
and glittering crowd Of prominent officers,
blazing with blue, scarlet, silver and gold
and decorations innumerable of diamonds
and costly gems, Mr.. Benjamin was escort
ed to all audience hall by the General and
chiefs, where exchange of courtesies was Of
fered and excepted. Next Mr.. Benjamin was
taken to the court below and mounted on
fine horse to continue his travels This was
the signal for everyone to mount, and cor
tege of nearly one thousand royal
guards was put in motion,
they being brilliantly and elaborately cos
tuned. As the procession moved across the
plain toward the beautiful turreted gate of
the city, which is decorated with parti-
colored glazed tiles, the cossacks dashed
hither and thither between the lines firing
muskets in the air and exhibiting the most
brilliant feats of horsemanship. The streets
were lined with spectators, and at intervals
were stationed police or squads of military.
Passing through the grand military de-
partment, the cortege turned into the new
or European city. On approaching his quar-
ters Mr. Benjamin was told by an aid that
800 soldiers were marshaled at the entrance
to receive him. Mr.. Benjamin dismounted,
returned their salute, and accompanied by
the General and chief of his staff, was es-
l
courtesies were shown and refreshments en-
| joyed,
Mr.. Benjamin next made an informal call
on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, at his
| residence, according to the custom of the
country. He has held his office thirty-six
| years, and is a conservative and astute states
man of kindly manners and disposition. On
the 10th of June Mr.. Benjamin received a
call from the Grand Chamberlain, who is a
son-in-law of the Shah and who informed
Mr.. Benjamin that his Majesty desired to re-
| ceive him at l O'Clock p. NJ. on the 11th
Mr. Benjamin was taken to the palace in a
| landau furnished by his Majesty and drawn
by six horses, each mounted by a liveried
| postillion Twenty royal tiraushes, or foot
| runners, clad in scarlet and wearing plumed
| tirars, preceded the carriage, together with a
score of horsemen, accompanied by a moh-
maudan and second master of ceremonies.
Mr.. Benjamin arrived at the gardens of
the palace, which are beauti-
| full with fountains and shrubbery,
| and foliage arranged artfully, after a style
| peculiarly Persian. All were ushered into
spacious and handsome hall where the first
master of ceremonies and other gentlemen
and dignitaries gorgeouSly arrayed, were in
waiting. Here Mr.. Benjamin was invited to
the seat of honor, and treated to tea and
kaliaun," or water-pipe.
| Soon after, the announcement was made
to Mr.. Benjamin that his Majesty was in
| readiness to receive him. and thereupon he
was conducted by the first master of cere-
monies to the palace itself AT this mo-
ment," says Mr. Benjamin, "a salute fired in
honor of the United States thuAdered over
the city, and on entering we ascended mag
nificent staircase The walls were decorated
in part with paint of European masters
From the staircase we entered the audience
hall, of vast proportions and most impressive
effect. His Majesty stood at the upper
end. Leaving my outer shoes at the door, as
| prescribed by the treaty of Kourmantschia |
made low bow and walked up to where the
King was standing"
Mr.. Benjamin then addressed the King in
French, and presented his letter of credence
His Majesty replied that it gave him great
satisfaction to see an American legation at
Teheran, and considered that both govern
ments could be further benefited by increas-
ing the intercourse and diplomatic relations
of the two peoples. After this ceremony,
his Majesty expressed strong hopes that the
United States, now that it had established a
legation in Persia, would maintain one per-
manently at Teheran.
At the conclusion of the audience with his
Majesty Mr.. niamin made a formal call
upon the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and
paid his res pects also to his Royal Highness
Naib Sultan who is Minister OF War and
one OF the sons of the King, and thanked
him for the military escort.
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