RECEPTION TO CAPTAIN C. D. SIGSBEE, U. S. N. 



Not only has the name of Captain Charles D. Sigsbee become 

 a household word throughout the length and breadth of the 

 United States as that of the gallant commander of the ill-fated 

 battleship Maine, but Captain Sigsbee himself, by the admirable 

 self-restraint and judicial temper which he displayed in the most 

 trying of all conceivable circumstances, has won '" golden opin- 

 ions from all sorts of people." In addition, however, to being a 

 brave officer, a true patriot, and a just man, he has distinguished 

 himself, as shown in the preceding article, by his valuable con- 

 tributions to hydrographic science, so much so, indeed, that his 

 position in the scientific circles of the National Capital is as well 

 recognized and assured as 'his standing as a naval officer. 



It was eminently fitting, therefore, that the National Geo- 

 graphic Society, of which Captain Sigsbee has long been an 

 active member, should take advantage of his recent return to 

 Washington to do him honor. Immediately on his arrival the 

 following letter was addressed to him by President Alexander 

 Graham Bell : 



Washington, D. C, March SO, 1898. 

 Captain Charles D. Sigsbee, U. S. N., Washington, D. C. 



My Dear Sir : You have earned the gratitude of America by your noble 

 conduct in a great and terrible emergency, when your prompt, energetic, 

 and wise action held in check the popular excitement which threatened 

 to precipitate war between friendly nations. 



The citizens of Washington are, one and all, anxious to greet the brave 

 Commander of the Maine. 



Your fellow-members of the National Geographic Society especially, to 

 whom you have so long been known as a scientific hydrographer, desire 

 to grasp you by the hand and welcome you back to the city once more. 



On behalf of the National Geographic Society, allow me to tender you 

 a reception, to be held in the parlors of the Arlington Hotel on Saturday 

 evening, April second, from nine to eleven o'clock. 

 I am, my dear sir, yours respectfully, 



Alexander Graham Bell, 

 President National Geograpliic Society. 



To this invitation Captain Sigsbee responded as follows : 



Washington, D. C, March 30, 1898. 

 Professor Alexander Graham Bell, 



President National Geographic Society, Wasliington, D. C. 

 My Dear Sir : In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of today, 

 wherein the members of the National Geographic Society tender me a 



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