I beg you to believe that I am highly appreciative of the cordial and
hospitable greeting with which I have been received by you on the
threshold of your beautiful and wonderful country. I hope that the visit
which now begins will not merely give me personally the opportunity I
have long desired, to see this great country and its marvels, to meet
its public men, and especially to see its illustrious President. I hope
that it will also serve, as it is intended to serve, as evidence of the
desire of the government and people of the United States to strengthen
and increase the steadfast friendship which they have long felt for the
people and government of Mexico.