Walker Blaine to the Marquis de Rochambeau, June 23, 1881

Mr. Blaine to the Marquis de Rochambeau.

Monsieur: As the time for celebrating by the mutual co-operation of the two governments the glorious deeds of a century ago at Yorktown is drawing near I cannot refrain from addressing you personally, and expressing the great pleasure it would afford the President and myself were you to make it convenient to be among us on that eventful occasion, and to realize for yourself, as the representative of your illustrious lineage, the love which the American people feel for the memory of your gallant ancestor, whose skill and valor so signally aided in bringing about the decisive success we are now about to commemorate.

Accept, monsieur le marquis, the expression of my sentiments of high regard,