Evening star., 1898-06-23
Russia'S First Ambassador Received
by the President.
SIGNIFICANT WORDS OF SENTIMENT
The UnalterabIe Friendship of the
Two Nations.
4 BRIL- LIANT SCENE

Russia's first ambassador to the United
States. Count de Cassini was formally pre-
sented to the President at IL o'clock today
by the Secretary of State. The ambassador
who was accompanied by his secretaries
and other attaches, was received in the
blUe parlor Of the Executive Mansion.
There he delivered to the President his
letter accrediting him to the government.
All were in complete court costume In
the course Of a brief address the ambassa-
dor spoke of the friendly relations that
tad always existed between the Russian
en- pire and the United States and ex-
pressed the hope that these cordial rela-
ticns would continue for many years to
come. The ambassador laid special stress
and emphasis upon this part of his ad-
dress. Altogether the speech was exceed
ngly friendly and cordial in tone and did
not contain sentence not in entire accord
with feeling of perfect good will and
friendship. The Presidents reply was in
the same amicable vein.
The Ambassador's Address.
Count Cassini addressed the President
as follows:
Mr. President: have the honor to place
in your eXcellency's hands the letter WHERE
by his majesty. the emperor. my august
master, accredits me In the capacity of his
ambassador extraordinary and plenipoten-
uary near the government of the United
States of America.
In confding to me the position of his
first ambassador III Washington my SOW
ereign has deigned to grant ne the most
signal honor, and one very gratifying to
me. An honor in that l represent my
great sovereign near the great American
people-a qualification in that | can be the
authorized and confident Interpreter of the
icrh 4 Il. II,
friendship which for many years have
united our two governments and our two
nations without the least cloud having ever
arisen TO disturb relations based alike upon
large and far-seeing political wisdom and
upon an unqueStionable sympathy.
Il venture to hope. Mr.. President that
will receive, as well from your eXcellency
as on the part of the government of the
United States, the sentiments of sympathy
to which L attach the highest value, and
which will permit me to acquit myself to
our mutual satisfaction in the mission
which my sovereign has deigned to confer
upon me-"
President MckinIey's Reply.
The President replied as follows:
Mr.. Ambassador: 1 have taken great
pleasure in listening to your address and
in receiving from your hands the letter by
which his august majesty, the Emperor of
Russia, has accredited you as his ambas-
sador extraordinary and minister plenipo-
tentiary to this government, and l extend
TO you warm welcome to its capital
You asraeably recall to me and through
me to the people of the United States the
cordial esteem and unbroken friendship
which have ever subsisted between Russia
and the United States. 1t is my heartfelt
wish that the Gme-hoEored association to
which you have referred, resting as ii does
on such firm foundations, will steadfastIy
endure, and that the great nation which
you represent shall ever enjoy the blessings
OF peace, prosperity and continued ad-
Vancement.
In welcoming you i cannot forbear to
congratulate you upon being the first chos-
en- ambassador of his ma jesty the tsar TO
this country, and to express the satIsfac-
uon IL gave me, reciprocatiEg the action Of
your government. to advance our represen-
tatlNe at your court 10 the rank of am
bassador. trust that your sojourn in this
capital may be in all respects agreeable
TO yourself, as it is certain to be to this
government and TO those of its citizens
who may share the pleasure of your ac.
quaintance and friendship.
May ask you to convey to his majesty.
the emperor. whose commission you bear.
the good wishes of the President and of the
American people for his happiness and tho
welfare of his empire