Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-03
NEW BRITISH AMBASSADOR
Presented with Usual Formalities and
Courtes!es to the President.

Washington. Dec Sir Henry Mort-
m ner Durand. the successor OF Sir Michael
Henry Herbert as tne ambassador Of
Great Britain to the United States. was
received formally by President Roosevelt
It the White House, at 80 o'clock this
afternoon.
At the White House the ambassador
was received by Secretary of State Hay
ard conducted to the blue room. where he
was presented to the President and Sec
rotary Loeb. Ambassador Duran0 pre-
seated his credentials TO President RooSe-
Neit and was received with great cordial
ity.
Sir Mortimer addressed the President as
follows:
form you that King Edward the With.
my august sovereign. has directed me to
present to You III person this letter ac-
credting 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 I
have received His Majesty's command TO
keep this object constantly, in view:
Il am deeply conscious, Mr.. President.
of the responsibility laid upon he and |
am we'll aware how hard it will be for me
to prove worthy of the high mission with
which | have been honored. | come to
America for the first time, with q warm
admiration for, but without any person
al knowledge of. the great nation over
which YOU have been called to preside.
and feel my incNperience the more Keen
ly hcause | succeed as British anlDa>s;,-
dor here one who had passed a consider
able part of his life in this country,
whose sympatEies with your people We're
therefore based upon 4 thorough under
standing. and, may add, whose singular
charm of character endeared him to all
who knew him.
Il can only say, Mr.. President, that
with Gods help | will do my best TO car
tl,a ,1I,,, n1,t, tad "a ma N
duty could he more in accord with my
wishes. and it will he d very real harpi--
ness whom my work here comes to an end
If | can feel that | have been able TO help,
however little, in bringing about an in
crease of the good will between our two
nations. | believe that upon that good
will depend in no small degree the welfare
OF the world.
In replying. the President said:
Mr.. 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 Amer
lea.
Through YOU the personal representa-
tive of your sovereign, | cordially recip-
rocate Ills Maiesty's desire that friend
ship and gOoG will between our two coCn-
tries shall be strengthened and perpetual
ed. and with the concurrent efforts OF the
American government doubt not that sue
cess will attend your endeavors to fulfil
His Majcsty'S desire to this beneficial end.
Following. as you do. Mr.. Ambassador,
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 to gain the con
fldcnce and esteem of this government
and to win the affection of all with whom
he was brought into association can
NOT doubt that you. being inspired by the
same good purposes and animated by the
same kindly feelings, will achieve no less
than Gid your lamented predecessor, and
>I.iY llX- a
Of this government and Of my. country
men. 1t is fitting that this should be,
and that. mindful of the ties of linship
and speech. moved by like aspirations OF
progress in the paths Of peace and shar-
ing rcvcrential trust in the Almighty
Win that guides our destinies. our two
nations and people, through their minis
tering agencies. should strive TO reach a
harmonious accord in all that affects
their common interests"
Al the conclusion of the ceremony,
which was brief. Ambassador Durand
chatted informally with the President be-
fore returning to the embassy.