Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-03
MORTIMER DURAND. !.
Britain's New Ambassador Presents
 His Credentials.

.a HIS
 WASHINGTON, Dec. The British ambassador, Sir Mortimer Durand when presenting his credentials tc President Roosevelt at the White House addressed the president as fol lows:
 tsMr. President, I have the honor to inform you that King Edward VII, my august sovereign, has directed me to present to you in person this letter accrediting me as his ambassador to the United States of America.
 His majesty has further directed me to assure you of his earnest desire that the friendly relations which exist between the United States and Great Britain may be maintained and strengthened, and have received his majesty's command to keep this object constantly in view.
 "I am deeply conscious, Mr. Presi- dent, of the responsibility laid upon me, and am we'll aware how hard it will be for me to prove worthy of the high mission with which I have been honored. I come to America for the first time with a warm admira ton for, but without any personal Knowledge of, the great nation over which you have been called to preside, and I feel my inexperience the more keenly be. cause | succeed as British ambassador here one who had passed considera- ble part of his life in this country, whose sympathies with your people were therefore based upon thorough understanding and, I may add, whose singular charm of character endeared him to all who knew him. NJ
 II can only say MT. President, that, with Gods help, will do my best to carry out the duty intrusted to me. No duty could be more in accord with my wishes, and 1t will be very real hap piness when my work here comes to an end If can feel that have been able to help, however little, in bring ing about an increase of the good will 1 between our two nations. I believe that upon that good will depends in no small degree the welfare of the | world y
 In replying the president said:
 1 MT. Ambassador, it affords me sim cere qualification to receive from your hands the letter whereby his majesty King Edward VII. accredits you as his ambassador to the United States of l America ''Through you, the personal repre-. | sentative of your sovereign, cordially reciprocate his majesty's desire that l friendship and good will between our l two countries shall be strengthened and perpetuated, and with the concur rent efforts of the American govern. ment I doubt not that success will at tend your endeavors to fulfill his maj. esty's desire to this beneficial end.
 Following as you do, Mir Ambassa- l dor, in the steps of one whose genial sympathy with our people and whose
 intimate knowledge of this country stood him in good stead, enabling him l to gain the confidence and esteem ot l this government and to win the affec. tion of all with whom he was brought l into association, I cannot doubt thai ! you, being inspired by the same good I purposes and animated by the same ! kindly feelings, will achieve no less I than did your lamented predecessor l and merit equally with him the higI
 regard of this government, and of nay
 countrymen. It is fitting that this
 should be and that, mindful of the tiee
 of kinship and speech, moved by like aspirations of progress in the paths o1 peace and sharing a reverential trusI l in the Almighty that guides our desti 1 nies, our two nations and peoples
 through their ministering agencies l should strive to reach harmonious ac
 cord in all that affects, their common
 interests"