Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.

No. 1529.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that His Highness Prince Pu Lun, Chinese commissioner in chief to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, left here for the United States on yesterday.

He is the bearer of a special message from the Emperor of China to the President of the United States, which he informs me he will deliver before the opening of the exposition. He will spend a little time in Japan en route, but expects to arrive in the United States about April 20.

I appreciate the difficulty of the Government of the United States in paying any great special attention to him at a time when so many important representatives of other countries will also be visiting the United States, but since China is just now beginning to send her young princes abroad I apprehend that public or official courtesies extended to no one will be more gratefully appreciated than by Prince Pu Lun and his Government.

I have, etc.,

E. H. Conger.