the local journals declare the inundation to be greater than that of 1850, which I judge from the comparison must have been up to that time nprecedentedly disastrous. Even a few cellars in the lower part of this city have been filled with water, but out of the city, up and down the Senne, the fields and meadows have been deluged and great damage already done to the crops. Along the valley from Charleroi, from Forest to Ruysbroeck, all the lands were submerged, presenting the appearance of an immense lake with agricultural products floating on the surface, and fruit trees uprooted and destroyed. In not a few instances farmers have been compelled to abandon their homes; the gas works of Forest have been flooded and many manufactories have stopped work.

Having occasion to go to Mons, I observed myself the fearful ravages of the water. At points on the prairie land, as far as the eye could reach on either side of the train, was an almost unbroken expanse of water. The tops of grain only could be seen, hay-cocks were more than half submerged, and the water was on the first floor of many peasants' houses. The floods had reached the water-works, and, deranging the machinery-the citizens of Mons were like men shipwrecked-water everywhere and none to drink. Cattle stood breast-high in water; hay, when it could be reached, was dragged to higher points and thrown across clothes-lines to drip and dry. The waters gathered so rapidly in many places that no preventive measures could be employed, and the floating crops dammed the natural outlets of the water, forcing it back to spread additional desolation. At Liege the waters rose so high as to justly alarm the people, and at Jemappes, St. Ghislain, Boussu, Namur, Huy, and Maestricht the destruction is said to have been fearful.

The weather changed a week ago, and since then, instead of pouring rains, there have been sunshine and warmth. Indeed, so marked has een the change for the better, that any estimate of the exact loss of gricultural products would at best be only conjectural, though in general terms it would be safe to say the injury has been very great.

Farmers are proverbially such grumblers that 50 per cent. as a rule may be added in their estimates, but it did look a week ago as if everything was hopelessly destroyed."

These rains have been pronounced "unprecedented," and in order to nable you to have a perfect understanding of what that word signifies a a Belgian sense, I will give you the particulars of the extraordinary weather of Belgium during the year 1878, as taken from the "Annuaire de Observatoire" of Brussels, viz, 206 rainy days, 17 days hail, 19 snow, 17 severe frost, 24 thunder storms, 47 foggy weather, 33 very cloudy Teather, and finishing with 2 days only of clear sky.

I have, &c.,

WM. CASSIUS GOODLOE.

No. 51..

Yo. 3.]

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Evarts.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,

Brussels, February 16, 1880. (Received March 1.) SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith a pamphlet containing spefie information in relation to the opening and management of a permabeat exhibition of arts, science, commerce, and industry in this city.

Although this exhibition will not in any way be connected with the strictly national one intended to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the independence of Belgium, it is the intention of the council of adminis tration to open it to the public about the same time, in order that it may contribute to the ensemble of attractive spectacles with which Brussels proposes to celebrate the approaching anniversary of the national independence.

As this, however, is intended to be a permanent exhibition of international products of the character indicated in the title-page of the inclosed pamphlet, I cannot but think it would afford a fine opportunity of keeping permanently before the eyes of the people of this city and many others on the continent, who frequently visit Brussels, our new and ingenious products of mechanical art and science.

I have long advocated the establishment of sample rooms in the larger cities of Europe, as the most efficient mode of introducing our manufactures, but this has been attended with so many difficulties in the selection of proper persons to take charge of them, and the securing of a sufficient number of consignments, that the experiment has not yet been fully tested. But here is an opportunity of exhibiting and offering for sale the work of our artists and artisans, in a most attractive building. and upon reasonable conditions, which, it seems to me, ought not to be disregarded. The central position of Brussels secures to it annually a large number of persons from other portions of the continent, who either come here on business, or are passing through to other cities, and this. with the character of the projectors of this scheme, and their published conditions of exhibition and sale, ought to induce many of our manufacturers, who wish to extend their trade, to embrace this opportunity of entering into a competitive exhibition of the merits of their wares with the manufacturers of Europe. For the permanent exhibition of a vast number of our small ingenious inventions used in the daily life of every householder, I think it an admirable opportunity, and if a num ber of inventors or exporters of these articles were to join and rent a given space together in which to exhibit their wares, the cost to any one of them would be but trifling.

SIR: On the 16th instant I inclosed to you a pamphlet relating to an international exhibition of arts, science, and industry, soon to be opened in this city, and I now have the honor to report that since the date of that inclosure I have been informed by the council of administration that they have secured from the government the free entry of all samples of whatever character intended for this exhibition.

I have, &c.,

JNO. WILSON.

No. 98.]

No. 53.

Mr. Goodloe to Mr. Evarts.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Brussels, April 1, 1880. (Received April 14.) SIR: Referring to your circular of date August 9, 1879,* I have the honor to inform you that immediately upon its reception I communicated its substance to the minister of foreign affairs and asked the friendly co-operation of the Belgian Government in preventing, so far as the law would allow, any accessions being made to the Mormon colony in Utah. I asked that recruiting in Belgium for such an unlawful purpose be discountenanced, and that every discouragement be given to those who from any quarter sought a Belgian port of embarkation. The minister of foreign affairs assures me that what can be done lawfully will be done gladly to check an object so unhallowed as these misguided people have in view, and that the Government of the United States may rely upon all being done under the laws of Belgium consistent with that amity and comity so happily existing between the two governments.

Further than this, the minister of foreign affairs caused to be published in the Moniteur, the official organ of the government, the laws of the United States applicable to polygamy, that all might be warned of the punishment a violation of the statutes would entail.

My return to America on leave at the time of this publication caused the delay in transmitting to you my action in the matter.

I have, &c.,

No. 54.

WM. CASSIUS GOODLOE.

No. 7.]

Mr. Putnam to Mr. Evarts.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,

Brussels, July 26, 1880. (Received August 9.) SIR: The current week has been one of special interest to Belgians. The entire season is largely appropriated to commemorative ceremonies and festivities, and the city of Brussels is ever in holiday attire.

The national exhibition which opened on the 16th of June, a rich display of the products of the agriculture, of the arts, and the industries in all their branches, and of the educational methods of the kingdom, is but a part of the semi-centennial celebration of the epoch which introduced this kingdom into the family of states.

The present week has been one of extraordinarily commemorative character and has called forth the most enthusiastic expressions of pride, gratitude, and reverence. It opened with a grand review of about 30,000 troops by the King. The Queen and other members of the royal family, except the King, occupied a portion of the balcony of the palace, another portion being occupied by public officials and the diplomatic corps. The review was brilliant as a military display, and called forth repeated demonstrations of loyal feeling toward the reigning family.

Wednesday, the 21st instant, had been set apart for a commemorative religious and civic ceremonial. At twelve o'clock, a solemn Te Deum

*See Foreign Relations 1879, p. 11.

was performed at the cathedral to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the inauguration of the Kingdom of Belgium by Leopold I, founder of the present dynasty. The cathedral was splendidly decorated, yet in harmony with the place and occasion. The entire diplomatic corps was present, each member of it, with a single exception, in full court dress and emblazoned with all their decorations, personal and official, of dignity and honor. The leading municipal, the civil, military, and judicial authorities, the ministers of state, and many members of the House of Representatives and of Senate were present. It was a pageant of great brilliancy. After the entrance of the King and Queen and other members of the royal family, the execution of the Te Deum was com menced. It oocupied about an hour. This was preliminary to another ceremony which must become historic, and was an occasion of repeated manifestations of the affection and gratitude with which Belgians cherish the memory of the founder of their kingdom. I refer to the inaugu ration at Lachen, near the summer palace of the King, of the monument erected in memory of Leopold I. The inspiration of this magnificent tribute of an entire people was happily expressed in one of the addresses to Leopold II, on this occasion. Two or three sentences will illustrate my idea:

The ceremony of to-day is also a fête of the people. The monument we inaugurate is born of a popular inspiration and the penny of the people has erected it; when on the 10th of September, 1865, death struck the august host of that palace now within our view, Belgium was plunged in universal mourning. In the humblest hamlet, as well as in our great cities, in the home of the artisan and the laborer, as well as in the highest ranks, the grief was profound. It seemed as if all were struck down by the same blow which had lost us a friend and a father. We remembered that reign of thirtyfive years, years of liberty and peace. We recalled all his great, beautiful, and useful acts. Lamentations were in every heart, on every tongue.

Public gratitude was too intense not to seek its expression in some durable and striking manner. From every quarter at once came the thought to erect a monument which should consecrate the memory of the great king and the nation's gratitude. Committees were formed, subscriptions were opened, where the poor man could give his humble offering, the true gift of his heart. This is the monument decreed, so to say, by the voice of the people, which now stands erect before you.

These words, it was easy to see, interpreted the universal feeling among the vast mass assembled to witness the ceremonies.

There were present, as at the Te Deum, municipal and state and military officials and the diplomatic corps. These occupied positions near the royal family. The equipages and decorations were gorgeous.

The King and Queen, accompanied by the Princess Stéphanie, betrothed to Rodolph of Austria, were also present. The Count and Countess of Flanders and family arrived about three o'clock and were received with enthusiasm.

The ceremonies opened by an address by Mr. Rolin Jacquemyns, minister of the interior, to the King and Queen. It was a condensed review of the circumstances which gave birth to the nation, and brought Leopold to its throne. It spoke in terms of grateful appreciation of the service of that ruler as the head of a constitutional monarchy. It said of him, "this wise prince, the true head of a nation of freemen, did more than deserve the love and admiration of his subjects. He rendered a distinguished service to the cause of popular liberty." Its closing words were received with long-continued applause.

Every Belgian heart beats in unison with our hearts, and their voices unite with. our voices; and there shall echo from one end of Belgium to the other the cries, a thousand times repeated, Vive King Leopold II! Vive the Queen! Vive the royal family!

To the two addresses the King responded, expressing his profound

gratitude for this demonstration of affection and honor in memory of his father, "whose life was consecrated to Belgium."

At the close of this reply the statue of Leopold I, which is in marble and of heroic size, was unveiled amid the plaudits of the multitude. An original poem, interpreting the just pride of Belgians in their nation and its royal founder, and representing the national aspirations for liberal institutions under their chosen form of government, was sung by a choir of several hundred performers.

The statue of Leopold is in the center of an open Gothic marble structure of singular grace and beauty.

This occasion, pre-eminently national in its spirit, can hardly fail to give new guarantees of stability to the institutions and interests which have been developed during the last half century.

I have, &c.,

No. 55.

JAMES O. PUTNAM.

No. 8.]

Mr. Putnam to Mr. Evarts.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,

Brussels, July 27, 1880. (Received August 9.) SIR: Referring to dispatch No. 3, I have the honor to state that I at once conferred with Mr. Wilson, our consul, and for a time acting chargé d'affaires. He read me his consular dispatch of April 8 last, No. 141, also his consular dispatch No. 123, of date May 27. * * * I addressed myself at once to the authorities requesting further copies, but have since learned that the edition was exhausted. There have been some changes in detail, not in substance, which will undoubtedly be published in a new edition. I shall keep myself informed on the subject and report anything further of interest that comes to my knowledge. I send a catalogue I obtained to-day at the exposition, showing the nationality of the exhibitors.

I can but confirm Mr. Consul Wilson's dispatch No. 123, fully concurring with him in his general statements and suggestions.

This vast building, admirably adapted to the uses of such an exposi tion, having been rented for a term of years (eighteen, I think), the exposition must become institutional in the country, and a well known center of samples of the great industries of the world.

While Belgium, as the national semi-centennial exposition now in full operation reveals, has made creditable progress in many of the arts, and discovers great skill in many of the branches of mechanics, I cannot but feel with Mr. Wilson that it would compensate them should some of our manufacturers place here specimens of their wares and productions. I thought at first that our agricultural machinery would be highly appreciated, but I am inclined to think that, owing to the very small land-holdings, and the great abundance of common labor here, they are not a necessity. Belgium is an infinite series of little agricultural gardens, so to say, rather than large farms, and it does not seem well adapted to the use of that machinery which so dominates the agriculture of our farms and prairies.

I notice what Mr. Wilson speaks of in his dispatch, that American exhibits come from England, and while labeled as products of the