Evening star., 1901-02-20
FRIEND OF e,WASHINGToN
TRIBUTE TO GEN. MIRANDA's MEN,
DRY By THE d. A. r..
Wreath Forwarded to Venezuela to
BE Placed Upon His Tomb
-Omciai Report.

The members of the congress of the d.
| A. r. were greatly interested in the report
| made yesterday by Mrs. Robert Stockwell
Hatcher. assistant historian general, which
recited in detail theIstory of the transmittal
| to Venezuela OF a wreath Of immorteiles
to be deposited upon the tomb Of General
Miranda, In the national pantheon at Cara
cas-, as tribute of the organization to the
| memory of Washington's friend and stan
officer.
The report recites, that magnificent
wreath, four feet In diameter was pre-
pared. composed Of blue and white immor-
telles, mounted against background of
Mexican palms, tied with broad white rib
bons. upon which were wrought in letters
OF gold. the words ITO Miranda, the Friend
or washington February, 1900, and upon
the body of the wreath, in white immor-
telles, was placed the inscription, "Daugh-
ters of the American Revolution" The
entire wreath was gracefully entwined with
the official ribbon Of the society. and was
mounted upon large gilded easel. The to-
tai cost, as authorized by the congress, was
$50.
The transportation of the wreath from
Washington to the United States legation
at Caracas the report states, was ef-
society, through the courtesy OF Senator
T. c. Platt of New York, president of the
United States Express Company, and
Of the Red d" line Of steamers plying be-
tween New York and Venezuela
Ceremony of Presentation.
The presentation was made through Fran
els b. Loomis, United States minister to
Venezuela. The ceremony was made official
by President Castro, and the day which 1t
was presented, made new national holl-
day.
The following is the official description Of
it:
"On the 23d of May, the new national hol-
iday, a beautiful wreath of immortelies sent
by the national society of the Daughters
of the American Revolution, was placed on
the tomb Of Miranda by General Castro
The reception and depositing of this wreath
was made one of the special features OF the
program of the day. Shortly before IL
o'clock, regiment of troops marched to
the plaza of the Pantheon. few minutes
later the national band arrived. The Amer
lean minister came about the same time and
was received by the representatives of the
minister of foreign affairs. In few moments
the strains of the national air of Venezuela
were heard. then rattle of arms as the
troops came to attention, and the supreme
chief of the republic. accompanied by
Madame Castro, and the members of the
cabinet and other high officials. entered the
Pantheon and proceeded to the tomb OF
Miranda, where the American minister, Mr..
LoOmis, awaited them. Mr.. Loomis pre-
sented the tribute from the Daughters Of
the American Revolution in a brief speech
in Spanish. explaining why the wreath was
sent and referring to the historic relations
of a friendly nature between the two re-
publics which have long existed. He
called attention to the fact that General Mi
randa was the friend of many of the found
ers of the great republic of the north, and
spoke graciously of ithe gratitude of the
Nenezueans in erecting handsome monu-
ments to the memory of those Americans
who perished with one Of Miranda's ex-
petitions -f.-
General Castro in receiving the wreath,
paid high tribute to the society of Amer |
lean women which sent it, and spoke in |
most powerful manner of the destiny OF |
the two republics. His remarks were Of an |
eloquent nature, and he was |
frequently interrupted by loud long con- |
tinued outbreaks Of applause from the null |
titude present. Altogether the incident was |
a very pleasing one, and the ceremony at |
tending it was very tasteful and impress |
sive."