The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-07-25

Rome, July 21.-The pope received
Governor Taft and the members OF his
party in farewell audience at noon to-
day The Americans drove in two car
riages from their hotel to the vatican.
Judge Taft n Judge Smith wore even
ing dress, as prescribed by etiquette:
Major Porter was in full uniform and
Bishop O'Gorman wore ecclesiastical
robes. They were received at the great
door Of the vatican by the Swiss guards.
who rendered military honors. At the
foot Of the state stair case the Ameri-
cans were met by Monsignor Bisleti.
master of the ceremonies, who was ac-
companied by several other dignitaries
of the papal court. At the door of the
pontifcal apartments, the noble guards
n gendarmes rendered the customary
honors, after which Governor Taft and
his companions were Introduced into
the presence Of the pope who welcomed
them with marked cordiality.
To mark his satisfaction at the sue
cess of the negotiations h pope pre-
scented each membe of Governor Taft's
party with a personal gift enclosed in
q magnificent morocco case adorned
with the papa arms. Governor Taft
got a gold goose quill, of exquisite
workmanship, with Pope Leo's coat of
arms on the feather To Bishop O'Gor-
man was presented a pectoral cross set
with rubies n amethysts and having
4 cameo centre bearing the figure of the
Virgin surrounded with pearls. Judge
Smith and Major Porter both received
a gold jubilee medal The pope gave
Mrs. Taft an enamel reproduction of
the ancient painting of Saint Ursula
surrounded by virgins.
The Americans were ushered into the
private library and SO soon as the door
was opened the pope went half way to
meet them and greeted Governor Taft
with the greatest cOrdiality. The pom
tiff commenced the interview by saying
he was most satisfied and happy at the
results obtained and was confident that
the negotiations would be the starting
point of a complete and satisfactory
solution of the question under discus
SION He added that the apostolic dele
gate soon to be appointed would be in
Structed most strictly n precisely re-
garding carrying out the idea determin-
ed upon between the United States and
the Vatisan saying:
Il will see that order be given him as
to his work, over which [ will watch
personally"
Turning the conversation, the pope
expressed the highest esteem for Amer
ICdL1 INGENIOUS VI IACoI1AS 49, AANI
ters. In fact he had more than once
pointed to the United States as setting
an example we'll worth copying.
Governor Taft thanked the pope for
the promptnesS and courtesy shown him
during his visit and promised cO-opera-
ton with the apostolic delegate in exc
cutting the business on the lines agreed
upon at Rome. He expressed regret at
the fact that the negotiations had been
mad the occasion for the circulation OF
false and even calumnous rumOrs in
various papers and by some Geographic
agencies, which had given rise to unfa-
vorable comments upon the vatican.
The pope also protested against such
false reports, but he philOsophically de-
clared that by this time he was accus-
toned to that kind of misrepresenta-
ton.
The pontiff then rose with unusual
activity, walked with the Americans to
the opposite side of the room and show
ed them the Mosaic which he is sending
to President Roosevelt in return for the
Presidents present of a box containing
Mr.. Roosevelts literary works. The
Mosaic is a copy of Corridis we'll known
picture of the Pope Leo sitting on the
terrace of, the vatican garden in Rome.
1t was made in the vatican WORKSHOPS
The pope then gave Bishop O'Gorman
an autograph letter to President Roose-
Welt.
OF Governor 1aIIS party
asked the pope to bless several boxes
of rosaries and other religious momen
toes which his holiness did most will
lingly, adding that his benediction was
extended to all their relations and
friends.
After an audience of forty nut
i'm which the conversation was carried
entirely in French, Bishop OGormah
and Major Porter translating, the pope
saw the Americans to the door of the
library.
Governor Taft and his companions
then called on the papal secretary OF
state. Cardinal Rampolla with whom
they exchanged somewhat similar cour-
tesies.
Later Governor Taft, accompanied py
Judge Smith and Captain Strotner lel'
Rome for Naples.
Bishop O'Gorman will sail for the
United States next week. He Will take
with him a letter from Cardinal Ram
polla to Secretary of State Hay.