Sargent to Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, February 10, 1883

No. 174. Mr. Sargent to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Sir: I have the honor to state that, on February 2, I was the recipient of 4,000 marks from citizens of San Francisco, for the relief of the sufferers in the inundated districts of Germany; of 5,000 marks received to-day from the citizens of Stockton, Cal.; and am notified of 20,000 marks more on the way from Pittsburgh, Pa. Besides these sums contributed through me, large amounts have been sent by our generous people for this object through other channels. Believing the surest and most impartial distribution, in accordance with the benevolent intentions of the donors, could be secured through the medium of the imperial authorities, who have the general work of relief in hand, I sent the money so far received to the foreign office, in a communication dated February 2, of which a copy is inclosed. On the 8th instant I received a letter from the imperial chancellor, a copy and translation of which are inclosed, acknowledging receipt of the money, and tendering the warmest thanks of the Emperor for the warm sympathy of the citizens of the United States for the sufferings of the inundated on the Rhine, and expressing His Majesty’s great pleasure at perceiving in this contribution another proof of the friendly relations between Germany and the United States. As this letter is obviously designed as a general acknowledgment of the generosity of our citizens in this matter, I take the liberty of communicating it to the Department for such use as it sees fit to make of it. Its request that I express the thanks of His Majesty to the San Francisco donors, I beg leave to comply with by forwarding a copy through the Department to Mr. Herzen, who telegraphed the money to me.

I have, &c.,