The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-03-04
SILVER DOLLAR FOR LOUBET
COIN PRESENTED TO
PRESIDENT OF FRANCE.
Given By Robert J. Thompson With
the Compliments of President
Mckinley.

Paris March 3.-Robert J. Thompson,
secretary Of the Lafayette monument
commission, as special commissioner of
the United States, representing Presi-
dent Mckinley and in his name, pre-
scented to President Loubet this morn
ing the first of the Lafayette dollars.
which are enclosed in a casket costing
$1,000. The presentation took place at
the Elysee palace.
Mr.. Thompson, accompanied by the
United States ambassador. General
Horace Porter. drove from the
embassy to the palace in the
ing at the Elysee at I1:45 a.
m. they We're received by NJ.
Mellard, sub-director of the protocol,
and Captain Haguet of the French
navy, who was the officer on duty. The
Americans were conducted to the pres
idents cabinet (study), where NJ. Lou
bet was awaiting them. BY his side
were NJ. Delcasse. the minister of for
eign affairs. and General Baillaud. the
chief of the cabinet. Several members
Of the presidents household were also
present.
General Porter introduced Mr.
+. Thompson to President LOubet. and the
presentation Of the dollar was then
made by Mr. Thompson in few ap-
prOpiate remarks. He said:
Mr. President-In the name and on
behalf Of the president of the United
States l have the distinguished honor
/ OF extending 10 you. the high represent
Stive Of the republic of France, sa1u-
/ tations and greetings Of friendship.
/ From the 18th of October 1898. the an
niVersary of the victory Of Yorktown
Of the French and American arms in
the cause Of liberty, the American
| school youths We're invited by the pres
ident md governors of the several
states Of the United States to contrib
ute their pennies towards the erection
OF the monument in Paris to a son OF
France, our great and venerated ally.
General Lafayette.
The response Of the children was
universal, the movement a splendid
success. In further aid and in honor
of the work an issue of $4,000 souvenir
silver dollars was appropriated and
ordered struck by congress.
of these $4,000 Lafayette dollars
the first to issue from the mint was es-
pecially preserved for your exceIlency
by the president Of the United States
and l have now the distinguished hon.
or. Mr. President. Of presenting to you
this coin, a simple and sympathetic
token in his name and for the people
of the United States
Il voice the sentiments of my coun-
trymen when I express the hope that
this memorial dollar, stamped with the
likeness of Washington and Lafayette
may remain always, as il is today, an
emblem Of the amity and the unity Of
purpose of the two great republics OF
the world
In reply, the president said he was
deeply touched By the kind thought OF
Americas president and people. and
particularly by the gracious manner in
which the coin has been presented tc
him by Mr. Thompson He begged the
latter to be the interpreter to the preSi-
dent of his warmest thanks and senti-
ments towards President Mckinley and
the American ration which animated
the president and government of the
French republic.
NJ. LOubet added that he ccngtatu-
lated himself on receiving this souvenir
which was a fresh pledge Of the reci-
procal ties Of friendship which had SC
long united France and the United
States, and which he hoped to see draw
closer and stronger more and more.
President LOubet concluded with say
ing that ii was especially agreeable to
him that the mission was entrusted tC
Mr.. Thompson. in view Of the initiatory
part which he took in the subscriptions
Of the school children to erect a monu-
ment to General Lafayette in Paris.
The French president then invited
General Porter and Mr. Thompson e
stay at luncheon. at which Madame
Loubet and NJ. Delcasse were present.