The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-03
PRESENTED
PAPERS TO
PRESIDENT
Sir Henry Mortimer OuFand,
the New British Ambassador,
Received al Washington.

Washington, Dec. s.-sir Henry Morti-
mer Durand. the successor OF Sir Michael
Herbert as the ambassador OF Great
Britain TO the United States, was re-
ceived formally by President Roosevelt
AZ the White House at 2:3O' o'clock
yesterday afternoon.
At the White House the Ambassador
was received by Secretary OF State Hay
and conducted to the Blue Room. where
he was presented to the President and
Secretary Loeb. Ambassador Durand pre-
sented his credentials to the president
and was received with great cordiality.
Sir Mortimer addressed the president as
follows: "Mr. President, have the honor
TO inform you that King Edward the VII
my august sovereign, has directed me TO
present 20 YOU in person this letter ac-
crediting me as his ambassador TO fthe
United States OF America.
His Majesty has further directed me to
assure you OF hts 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.
FEELS INExPERIENCE.
II am deeply conscious. Mr. President.
OF the responsibility laid upon me. and
1 am we'll aware how hard IL will be for
me 70 prove worthy OF the high mission
with which I have been honored. come
to America for the FIRST time, with
warm admiration for but without perso-
nal knowledge of. the great nation over
which you have been called TO preside;
and ] feel my >inexperience the more
keenly because I succeed as British Am
bassador here one who had passed con-
siderable portion OF his life i'm this coun-
try whose sympathies with your people
were. therefore, based upon n thorough
Northumberland. ] may add. whose
singular charm OF character endeared
him to all who knew him.
i can only say, Mr.. President, that
with Gods help will do my best TO car
ry out the duties entrusted TO me-. No
duty could be more In accord with my
wishes. and II will be very real happi-
ness when my work here comes to'an end
IL can feel that l 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 depends in no small degree the well
fare OF the world"
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
In replying the president said: "Mr.
Ambassador-It affords me sincere graft
f1cation to receive from your hands the
letter whereby his majesty King Edward
VII accredits you as his ambassador 10
the United States of America.
Through YOU. the personal representa-
tive OF your sovereign, cordially recipro-
cate his n1ajesty's desire that friendship
and good will between our two countries
shall be strengthened and perpetuated.
and with the concurrent efforts OF the
American government l doubt not that
success will attend your endeavor to full
fl his majesty's desire TO this beneficial
end.
Following, as you do, Mr. Ambassa-
dor. in the steps OF one whose genial
sympathy with our people. and whos,
him in good stead. enabling him to gain
the confidence and esteem. OF this gov
ernment and 10 win the affection OF all
with whom he was brought into associa-
ton. cannot doubt but that you. being
inspired by the same good purposes, and
will achieve no less than did your la
mented predecessor and merit equally
with him in the high regard OF this gov
eminent and my countrymen. II is Mt
tina that this should be. and that mind
ful OF the ties of kinship and speech.
moved by like aspirations OF progress in
the paths OF peace. and sharing a rever-
entail trust in the Almighty will that
guides our destinies, our two nations and
peoples through their administering
Nous accord in all that affects their COM
mon interests"
At the conclusion Of the ceremony,
which was brief. Ambassador Durand
chatted informally with the president be-
fore returning 10 the embassy