Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-27
ODD INCIDENTS IN AMERICAN
 HISTORY
OUR FIRST FOREIGN MINISTER

OUR FIRST FOREIGN MINISTER
 Our diplomatic corps today covers an the important countries of the world, consisting of thirteen foreign ministers, as well as consuls stationed at all im- portant points. This service has had a wonderful growth since the appointment of John Adams as the first minister plen- ipotentiary in February, 17S5.
 The Revolutionary war was over, and one of the first things to be done was to select representatives of this country to look after our interests at such foreign capitals at which business would have to be conducted. Naturally England must have our first consideration, as it was with that country that we would have to have our affairs of the war strengthened out and the government just organized felt that there was no one in this country who could 50 ably repre- sent us as John Adams, of Massachu setts.
 The kingly ceremony of acknowledg- ing the colonies had taken place in the House of Lords on December 5, 17S2. MT. Adams was at Paris when he received the announcement of his appointment. In May, ,1725, he transferred his family across the English Channel. The first thing to be done was to go through the ceremony of presentation to the sovereign. This teek place at 1 o'clock on We'd nesday, June 1, 17S5. The master of ceremonies called at Mir. Adams house and went with him to the secretary of states office, where he was received by the Marquis of Carmarthen.
 After a short conversation the Mar euis invited MT. Adams to go with him in his coach to Court. When they ar rived in the ante-chamber the master of ceremonies introduced him to those pres ent and then acconpanie him to the presence of the King and withdrew. T %te was no one present, but his Majesty and the secretary of state. MT. Adams then addressed himself to the King, as was the usage establish ed at Courts The King listened with dignity but with apparent emotion. To the minister's speech he replied: The l circumstances of this audience are so ex- l traordinary, the language you have now held is so extremely proper, and the | feeling you have discovered so justly adapted to the occasion, that I not only receive with pleasure the assurance of | the friendly disposition of the United 1 States, but I am glad the choice has fallen upon you to be their minister"
 The King then followed briefly with the hope that now that the war was oyer the two countries would heal the wound | and bind a 1uture fr1enQSalp. ATler the formal ceremony was ever the King con versed briefly with MT. Adams regarding France, Then he bowed to the minister as is the custom when royalty give the signal to retire, and MT, Adams bowed and departed.
 The new minister was presented to the Queen on June 3 by Lord Alleshury, her Tor dchamberlaiH. The Queen was ac- cempaned by her ladies-in-waiting, and MT. Adams made his compliments to her Majesty in the following words:
 Madame: Among the many circum- stances which have rendered by mission 1 to his Majesty desirable to me, I have ever considered it a principal one that ] should have an opportunity to paying my court to a great Queen. whose royal virtues and talents have ever been ac- i knoWledged and admired in America as an example ee princesses and 2 glory to her sex"
 To the minister's address the Queen replied; 'I thank you, sir, for your ci- vilities to me and to my family, and am glad to see you in this country
 The Queen then asked MT. Adams fl he had provided himself with house tc which question the answer was made that he had agreed for one that morning She than made her courtesy and the en.