The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-23
THE CONGO STATE.
Correspondence Between King Leopold, of
Belgium, and President Cleveland.

WASHINGTON, Feb 22-Included ia some dip
lomatic correspondence recently sent TO Congress,
is the following from King Leopold, of Belgium,
TO President Cleveland, written at the time the
King assumed the title of Sovereign of the INDIE
pendent State of the Congo:
"OsDEN, Aug. l. 1885.
very Dear and Great Friend-The govern
ment of the republic Of the United States of
America was pleased to recognize the flag of the
International Association of the Congo as that of
friendly nation. At the time of the signing of
the general act of the conference of Berlin, the
president and members of that high assembly,
on receiving the adhesion of the Association to
the acts of the conference manifested their sym
pathy with its enterprise. To day the position of
she Association is fixed. in an international
point of view; its territory and constitution is
established and its mission has received valua-
bic announcements L am now prepared to
bring to your notice, and to that of
the republic Of the United States of
America. that the possessions of the International
Association of the Congo will hereafter form the
Independent State of the Congo. / have. at the
same time. the honor to inform you and the gov
eminent of the republic OF the United States of
America that / am authorized by the Belgian
Legislative Chambers to become the chief OF the
The s s OF
dent State of the Congo The union between
Belgium and that state will be exclusively per-
sonal. The new state l am firmly convinced,
will fulfill the expectations Of those powers which
have, in q measure, greeted in advance its entry
into the family of nations / shall endeavor to
guide ii in that course, and entertain the hope
that you will be pleased, as we'll as the govern
<Dent of the republic Of the United States Of
able reception to the present notification. I
eagerly seize this occasion to offer you the ex-
preston of the high esteem and Of the involable
friendship with which l am, very dear and
great friend, Your sincere friend,
LEOPOLD
President Cleveland was absent from Wash
ington when the above letter was received. and
upon his return sent the following reply:
Esteemed and Great Friend-I have had
much pleasure in receiving your Maiesty's letter
o6the LIST of August last, announcing that the
possessions sos the International Association Of
the Congo will henceforth form the Independent
State of the Congo, and that your Majesty, under
the authorization of the Belgian Legislative
Chambers, and In accordance with the Associa-'
ton, has assumed the title of Sovereign of the
Independent State of the Congo. observe your
Majestys further statement that the convention
between Belgium and the new state is exclusive
ly personal. This government. at the outset,
testified it's lively interest in the we'll being and
future progress Of the vast region now COM
mitted to your Majeety's wise care, being the
first among the powers to recognize the
flag of the International Association OF the Congo
as that of friendly state; and now that the
progress of events has brought the Association
forward, and opened the way for its incorpora-
ton as an Independent and sovereign state, /
have great satisfaction in congratulating your
Majesty on being called to the chief magistracy
of the newly formed government. The govern
ment and people of the United States. whose
only concern lies in watching with benevolent
expectation the growth of prosperity and peace
among the communities to whom they are
Joined by ties Of friendship, cannot doubt that,
under your Majesty's good government, the
people Of the Congo region will advance in the
paths OF civilization, and deserve the good will
of all those states and peoples who may be
brought into contact with them. I am, my
esteemed and great friend,
"Your faithful friend,
GROVER CLEVELAND"