James C. Morton to Walker Blaine, October 5, 1881

No. 252. Mr. Morton to Mr. Blaine.

Sir: With reference to my dispatch No. 39, of date September 23, which contained the names of the representatives of the French Government, and also of the members of the families of Rochambeau and Lafayette, who, on invitation of our government, attend the centennial celebration of the surrender of Yorktown, I have now the honor to inclose a communication from the Senator, Mr. Edmond de Lafayette, in which he expresses deep regret at not being able to be present himself at this great international reunion, but refers to the representation of his family in the persons of his nephews.

I have here to correct a mistake contained my dispatch No. 25, which referred to Colonel Mason, who is, in fact, a captain. This gentleman, a naturalized Frenchman, is the son of the former American minister to France, John Y. Mason, esq., of Virginia, who died at his post in 1859.

I have, &c.,