Mr. Bayard to Mr. Winchester.
Washington, December 18, 1888.
Sir: I have read with much interest and appreciation your No. 236, of the 1st instant, informing me of the death of Mr. Hertenstein, president of the Swiss Confederation, on the 30th ultimo, from the effect of a surgical operation, and speaking in such just terms of the many noble qualities of the deceased statesman, and the high consideration in which he was held by his fellow countrymen.
The news of the operation performed on the late president, and subsequently of his sad death, was communicated to the Department under date of the 24th and 27th ultimo, by the courtesy of the Swiss minister here, and I at once acknowledged Mr. de Claparède’s note, and likewise [Page 688] telegraphed to the chancellor of the Swiss Confederation the sympathy of the people of the United States in the great national loss which Switzerland had sustained. I inclose you copies of the correspondence with the Swiss legation referred to* for the files of your legation.
I am, etc.,