Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-15
RELICS IN THE VATICAN.
Secretary Fosters Letter to the Pope's Sec
retarv of State.

Secretary Fosters Letter to the Pope's Sec
retarv of State.
Secretary of State Foster has sent the follow
ing letter to Rome:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
"WAsHINGToN D. c., Sept. Is, 1892
"To his eminence, Cardinal NJ. Rampolla del
Tindaro, secretary of state to his holiness,
Rome.
Most Eminent Sir: am directed by the
President of the United States to express to
your eminence his very deep satisfaction on
learning of the warm interest which his holi-
ness, Pope Leo XIII, takes in the approaching
Columbian exposition at Chicago
The President was also gratifed by the in
formation that the holy father has manifested
wish to forward to this exposition some me-
mentoes of the discovery of America and other
objects of interest which are now preserved in
the Vatican. l need not assure you that the
greatest care will be taken of them from the
moment of their delivery into the hands of the
agent of this government who may be author
lied to receive them, or. should his holiness see
proper to intrust them to the care of a per-
sonal representative. who will bring them to the
United States, l am authorized by the Presi-
dent to assure his holiness that such represen-
tatlve shall receive all possible courtesy on his
arrival and during his sojourn in this country
1t is proper to add that all relics relating to
Columbus will be exhibited in a separate build
ing, an exact reproduction of the monastery at
La Rabda at Palos, Spain, which is SO closely
identified with the career of the great discov-
erer. This building will be situated on head
land stretching out into Lake Michigan. and
will be almost entirely surrounded by water It
Is therefore detached from all other buildings
connected with the exposition. and is subject to
the least possible danger from fire and other
causes.
1.-THE President has preferred similar re-
quest to various governments. corporations and
private persons in Europe for the loan of such
articles as may be in their possession or control
having relation to the early discovery of Amer
ica and it is the purpose Of this government to
bring the relics, il necessary, to the United
States in q man-of-war to be detailed by the
Secretary of the Navy for that purpose
Should his holiness prefer the plan Of intrust-
ing to his representative the articles he may de-
eide to loan. it will be the pleasure Of the Presi-
dent to receive this officer, together with the
articles in his charge, on board the man-of-w war
above referred to for passage to the United
States. Special arrangement have been made
for the transportation from New York to Chi
cago Of all objects of interest thus loaned and
at the close of the exposition they will be re-
turned to Europe with the same care to be de-
hvered to those from whose generosity and
kindness they have been obtained.
During the exposition a military guard de-
tailed by the Secretary OF War will be stationed
at La Rabida building day and night.
Tho intimate association of the holy see
with the Columbian enterprise and its results
has SO linked the memory OF Rome and her
pontiffs with the vast achievement of Chris
TOPPER Columbus and his comrades and COM
petitors in the work of discovery and colonies
ton, and exerted SO marked an influence on the
destnies and progress Of the new world they
revealed, that an exhibit such as by the Presi-
dents direction l have the honor to suggest
could not fail to be among the most noteworthy
contributions to this international celebration
Of the four hundredth anniversary Of the dis
covery.
"By cooperating to this end his holiness
will manifest for this country q regard which
will be highly appreciated not only by the
managers Of the exposition, but by the Ameri-
can people at large.
His eminence Cardinal Gibbons, with whom
l have conferred on the subject, has very kindly
agreed to convey this letter to your eminence
Trusting that this expression Of the Presi-
dents desire may meet with favorable re-
spouse from his holiness and Offering nv
earnest cooperation to bring about SO pleasing
O result and to insure its successful accomplish
mont, tender to you, most eminent sir, the
assurances OF my high consideration.
John W. FOSTER,
Secretary Of State.