Walker Blaine to Pomeroy, July 26, 1881

No. 242. Mr. Blaine to Mr. Pomeroy.

Sir: At the instance of his excellency Alfred H. Littlefield, governor of the State of Rhode Island, I inclose herewith for the representatives of the Republic of France who are to visit the United States in October next, to attend the centennial celebration of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, an invitation to visit the State of Rhode Island, and while there to remain as the guests thereof.

I will thank you to transmit the inclosed documents, relating to the invitation in question, to the Government of France through the foreign office.

I am, &c.,

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

(In General Assembly, May session, 1881.)

resolution authorizing the governor to invite the representatives of the Republic of France to visit Rhode Island.

Whereas during the Revolutionary War in the year A. D. 1778, while the British controlled the entrance to Narragansett Bay, and greatly distressed and oppressed the inhabitants of the adjoining territory; and

Whereas in the month of July of that year a French fleet arrived in the said bay, under the command of Admiral d’Estaing, and occasioned the destruction of many of the vessels of the British fleet to the great satisfaction and relief of the inhabitants of the State; and

Whereas in the summer of A. D. 1780, another French fleet, bringing a large land force, arrived in the waters of the said bay, and to the great relief of the inhabitants remained within this State for a considerable time, and afforded protection to the lives and property of the inhabitants of the State; and

Whereas the Government of the United States has invited the Government of the Republic of France to participate in the centennial celebration of the surrender of the British forces in America, to take place at Yorktown in October next, and the Republic of France has signified its intention to be represented at and to participate in the said celebration, therefore, as a token of gratitude, and as showing the appreciation of the people of Rhode Island of the services rendered this State by the fleets and armies of France, it is

Resolved, That his excellency the governor be, and hereby is, directed and authorized to invite the representatives of France who visit the United States to participate in the celebration in October next, to visit the State of Rhode Island at such time during their sojourn in the United States as may be convenient to them, and while the said representatives are within the State to remain the guests thereof, and that his excellency is hereby requested and directed to appoint a committee of such citizens of this State as he may deem proper to assist him in entertaining the guests of the State while here, in such a manner as the committee may believe will be most acceptable to their guests, and that his excellency the governor be, and he hereby is, authorized to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the expense incident to carrying this resolution into effect.

A true copy. Attest: