[Extract.]

Mr. Tuckerman, to Mr. Seward.

No. 3.]

Sir: On the 13th inst., as per copy herewith, I had the honor to report my arrival at this capital, making mention, at the same time, of the fact that the King and court were sojourning at Cephissia. On being informed of my arrival, his Majesty appointed Tuesday, the 16th inst., at the palace at Athens, for my official reception. At noon on that day, I presented my letter of credence to the King, who received me with, marked cordiality, in manner and speech. In handing the letter of the President to the King, I employed the following language:

I have the distinguished honor of presenting to your Majesty a letter from the President of the United States of America, whereby I am accredited as minister resident near the government of your Majesty. In performing this agreeable duty, it is unnecessary for me to remind you of the friendship and sympathy so long subsisting between the two nations. These sentiments were expressed in more fitting terms than any that I can employ, on the occasion of the reception of your Majesty’s representative at Washington, and they now, in virtue of a recent act of Congress, take visible form in the establishment of this mission. The people of the United States sincerely desire the prosperity and happiness of all peoples, under whatever forms of government their laws may be administered; yet, from the very nature of our own political institutions, we cannot but regard with peculiar satisfaction every successful result of self-government in Europe. In this view I may be permitted to consider as auspicious the period of my arrival in Greece. The supremacy of law and order during the excitement of the recent popular elections throughout this kingdom, and the submission of the whole to the voice of the majority, are, as regarded by the light of our own political experience, a test of free institutions. It is our abiding hope, that Greece, drawing from her imperishable past the principles of public liberty, and rejecting those conflicting elements which caused her decline, by a well-developed system of political economy and internal improvements, may, through patient peace, realize the just expectations of her patriotic and persevering people. Should my official residence near your Majesty’s government serve in any degree to strengthen the friendship and give direction to the mutual interests of the two countries, my ambition will be more than gratified.

To which his Majesty responded as follows:

[Translation.]

Mr. Minister: I thank you for the words which you have just pronounced. It is with a lively pleasure that I see a minister from the United States accredited near to me. The sympathies which unite the Greek people to those of the United States, date from the very period of the war which the former sustained to conquer her independence. Fully sharing in these sentiments of my people, I decided last year to send an envoy extraordinary to express them to the President of the United States. The reception of Mr. Rangabé by the Chief Magistrate of the republic, and by the American people in general; the mission with which you are at present charged; the hopes and sentiments which you have just expressed, are so many proofs of the feeling which animates the government and people of the United States in our behalf. My people and myself place a very high value upon the friendship of the United States. There is more than one point of resemblance between the two nations. With one, as with the other, the love of order and of liberty form the basis of their character. Both conquered their independence by a long struggle, and passed through many trials to sustain these two principles. Having heard of your antecedents, and of your talents, I am gratified, Mr. Minister, that the choice of your government for its representative near me has fallen upon yourself. I shall always receive you with pleasure, and I am sure that my government will hasten to establish intimate and cordial relations with you.

[Page 122]

At the conclusion of this address, his Majesty entered into general conversation with me, and expressed much interest in the growth and prosperity of the United States. Referring to the remarks in my address upon the tranquillity of the late elections in Greece, he attributed the general good order which prevails with us during the period of elections, to the fact that labor and occupation engross the attention of the people; thus, by inference, intimating what indeed cannot fail to be perceived by the most casual observer in this capital, that the undue proportion of citizens who make a business of political agitation, is an element of great danger in this kingdom. Thus, at the present moment, although the results of the late elections have been known for weeks, the excitement of parties continues simply because there appears to be no wholesome practical occupations to engage the general mind. It is well known that the better classes do not pursue agricultural employments. Thus, an immense floating population, dependent upon government offices for support, is continually ebbing and flowing, as this party or that is in or out of political power. I refrain from further observation on this and kindred subjects, until more thorough examination ripens my judgment.

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I may also mention, that to-day I was asked if I had any objection to receive a visit from certain Cretans, who, having come to Athens seeking admission to the Greek national chamber as “deputies,” were, partly at the instance of the representatives of Great Britain and France, refused admission. Although informed that the proposed visit to me was not intended to be considered as official on their part, I thought proper to discourage the proceeding, expressing at the same time my readiness and pleasure to receive any and all who desired to see me in their individual capacity. I find it necessary to be cautious and circumspect, in my personal relations, with a community where party capital is manufactured out of very insignificant materials.

The affairs of Crete continue to be in statu quo. The Sultan’s troops appear to be acting at present on the defensive, and blockade-running from this and other Greek ports goes on without molestation. According to the estimate of the prime minister, M. Bulgaris, with whom I had, to-day, a long and agreeable interview, the Cretans “under arms” in the island number about 12,000, and their opponents 20,000. M. Bulgaris states that the amount paid monthly for the support of the “refugee” Cretans now in Greece, and amounting to over 50,000 souls, exceeds the sum of 5,000 drachmas. This drain upon the treasury is very serious, and, in the present condition of the finances, cannot fail to excite apprehension for the future. There seem to be no signs of falling off in the determination of the government and people to sustain the cause of Crete— within the restraints imposed by the other powers. The present inactivity of Russia in the affairs of Crete serves to restrain the movements of those here who desire open interference, coûte que coûte.

The “verification” of the electoral votes—along and tedious process, owing to the singular mode of casting the ballot at elections—still occupies the attention of the chamber. Much intemperate discussion has ensued, which yesterday, I regret to say, led to a personal rencontre in the chamber.

* * * * * * *

I have the honor to be, sir, your very obedient servant,

CHARLES K. TUCKERMAN.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.