Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-03
FILLMORE LETTER
TO SULTAN FOUND
President Eloquent in Plea
for American Shipping
to Zanzibar.

0y the Associated Press.
A. curious diplomatic document, writ
ten by President Fillmore in 1851 to
the Sultan of Muscat, was made public
by the State Department today after
being dragged out Of musty files be-
cause Of It's comic opera style.
Acting Secretary Castle described II
as "the most amazing diplomatic docu-
ment I have read in a long time"
The note was addressed to Seyed
Syeed Bin, Sultan Of Muscat, city on
the eastern side Of the Arabian PENN
sula, and signed by President Fillmore
and Daniel Webster, then Secretary Of
State.
It's apparent purpose was to get the
Eultan'S permission for American SHIPS
10 enter ports Of Zanzibar. Muscat
province, and President Fillmore went
to great pains to impress the sultan
with the power and importance OF this
country.
Tells Of Many Ships.
He told Of many hundred ships be-
longing to this great Nation which now
noat over all seas" and said he would
"order them frequently to stop at Fan.
xibar and inquire after your health.
Fillmore pictured the wonders of his
land in flowery language, saying:
From the region Of ice which bounds
the United States on the north to the
dowery land of the orange on the south
IS journey OF one hundred days, and
from the eastern shores, which receive
the first beams Of the rising sun, to
those Of the west, where rest his set
ting rays, Is one hundred and fifty days
journey, and this immense country Is
ekn hrYk
populous cities, traversed by mighty
rivers and crowned with lofty noun
tainS.
"By railroads or In steamboats, the
citizens of this immense country pass
from one place to another with incon-
ceivable rapidity. From the seat Of
Government at Washington I send my
commands in a few minutes by the
lightning telegraph, to all parts Of the
United States, and they are obeyed."
Mohammedan Phrasing.
State Department experts believe
President Fillmore was aided in prep
aration Of the note by some one IA
MILAN with the Sultan'S country, be-
cause it was filled with Mohammedan
phrases.
The note was addressed Ito our great
and good friend, his majesty Seyed
0yGCO DILL 0ultu11 VI 4NAuoNot eAAAA 41o
dependencies, and throughout the let
ter the Sultan was addressed as SUCH
Expressing hope for the Sultan's
health, Fillmore said, Il pray that your
days may be many, and that your reign
may continue to be peaceful, prosperous
and glorious and that your shadow may
never be less"
Referring to letters sent by the Sultan
20 President Polk, few years before,
Fillmore said: II am sorry to tell you
that he no longer is an inhabitant Of
the earth The last President was Gen.
Zachary Taylor. My heart sinks
within me when tell you that he too
has joined the ranks of the immortals."
Seal Impressive.
After explaining the seal Of the
United States had been placed on the
note "by the officer who is entrusted
to hold it, and to use it on great and
solemn occasions" Fillmore concluded
by noting that the document was writ
ten May, 1851, in the 18th year of
American independence, and "the
eighth day of the month Redjeb, in
the year Of Hegira one thousand two
hundred and sixty-seven."
The letter was dispatched aboard the
naval steamship SusQuehanna in the
custody of Comdr. John H. Aulick..