Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-02
AMBASSADOR cHoATE
warmly welcomed a. Arrival q Southampton
He Proceeds 10 loadea.

Southampton, March LINE UnIted
States ambassador to the court OF
st. James, Mr.. Joseph II. ChOate. ar
rived here, at 4 o'clock this afternoon.
on board the American Line steamer
st. Paul from New York. She was
boarded by the mayor and sheriff. who
welcomed the ambassador In behalf Of
the corporation. Mr.. Choate was met
by Lieut.. J. c. Colwell the United
states naval attache, instead Of Mr..
Henry White. the United States
charge d'affaires. who IL attending the
drawing room at Buckingham palace,
London.
The president of the Southampton
Chamber of Commerce presented the
new ambassador with an address. ten
dering him the most cordial welcome
and saying: Your arrival in the mag
nificent st. Paul, which recently did
such signal service in your navy. gives
unique interest to the occasion and
forcibly reminds US OF the ever in
creaslng facilities afforded the COM
mercc Of the two countries and the
cordiality and friendship whereby We
recognize that your nation Ii akin to
us in common ancestry, language and
pursuits.
In reply Mr.. Choate said in part:
THE ports of New York and South
ampton are now closely united by the
great steamships flying between them,
like the shuttles and weaves of loom.
connecting them by imperlshable
bonds. This mutual commerce inter-
change and travel will do more to
strengthen the ties which already
unite the two countries than anything'
else can do. If the men and women
of your country could visit my country
as freely as ours do yours. the good
understanding which now exists would,
never fail
Southampton has special signifi--
canoe for Americans. as it was ths.
point of departure of the Mayfiower1
on the historic voyage which was to.
end in planting a new nation. 1t
proved to be the first great departure
of the English race from their island
home and island life. They went to
take possession of the new continent
waiting to be subdued and replenished.
The God in whom they trusted pros
pered the good work. They carried
with them the English Bible. common
law, tuc lucd vi EsoNcTH-
ment and liberty of the individual
Springing from this stock. republic
of 100000 all connected in blood, in
stitntions, interests and hopes of the
futures. stretches across the Atlantic
the right hand of fellowship and is
ready to meet the mother country more
than half way in everything which
will tend TO promote the common good
of the two nations and the general
welfare of mankind.
The Mayflower of 1920 and the ST.
Paul of today furnish a symbol of the
marvellous change which time has
wrought. The crazy little barque of
$50 tons, bearing beneath her deck the
fortunes of race. putting in for re-
pairs at Dartmouth and Plymouth,
hardly strong enough to hold together
across the Atlantic. landed her hundred
heroes and heroines after north than
four months, on rock which was TO
be the corner stone of American free
dom. Today. the representative of their
descendants traverses the same seas in
single week. in a mighty cruiser Just
converted from swift engine of war to
a welcome messenger of peace, herself
an emblem of that sea power upon
which the destinies of Anglo Saxon
race depend.
AS go to present my letter of cred
ence from the President to your Illus
trious sovereign. who after more than
60 years still reigns supreme over the
hearts of her subjects and commands |
the affectionate admiration of my own
as their ever steadfast and |
faithful friend, I accept your cordial |
greeting as the harbinger of that prac-
teal friendship which is set forth to
control and govern the conduct of the
two nations"
A crowd of people numbering several
thousands awaited the arrival of the
United States ambassador, the Stars
and Stripes were displayed on many
buildings and Immediately after the
arrival of the st. Paul the ship was
boarded by a delegation Of 200 of the
citizens of Southampton.
They were introduced to the ambassa-
dor in the dining saloon by Lieut..
Carter. where the addresses were de-
|ivered. All Mr.. Choate's references to
the friendship existing between the two
nations were loudly applauded, as was
a graceful tribute which he paid to
queen Victoria during the course of his
reply to the mayor