and the most delicious of dishes.

A reception such as the one now being given to your excellency and those
nearest and dearest to your heart, must be, no doubt, inferior in
magnificence to the welcome tendered to such illustrious guests in other
countries; but believe me, none has ever surpassed our sincerity,
because Mexico, as it is the first to admire brilliant careers in
politics, in science, in art, in industry, and in commerce, takes
pleasure in offering you its most cordial attentions with no other
desire than to make your stay in this republic as pleasing as possible
and to show you that this country is an ardent admirer of yours and
takes pleasure in calling itself a sister of the United States not only
because of geographical contiguity, but also because of the liberty and
freedom of its institutions.

I therefore pray that your excellency accept this humble repast as a
token of the most affectionate hospitality tendered you by me in the
name of the people of Puebla, and I beg you to convey to the illustrious
President of the American Union the brotherly regard we all have for
him.

REPLY OF MR. ROOT

I am greatly pleased by this delicate hospitality which is like the
traditional hospitality of the Mexican nation. I shall personally convey
to President Roosevelt the message of cordial welcome and good-will
shown by this city, and it will undoubtedly contribute to further the
good work undertaken by President Roosevelt to uphold justice and
protect the rights of humanity. I shall also bring to President
Roosevelt's attention the assurances of this country to protect the
happiness and prosperity of the people. I cannot help remembering that
when foreigners came to Puebla in hostile manner they were shown that
Puebla knows how to defend its rights. It is also pleasing to me to see
the ability of the Mexican people to govern themselves: nations like
Mexico and the United States which have given proof of this ability may
well boast that they belong to those which form the vanguard of modern
civilization.

ORIZABA

SPEECH OF SENOR D. TEODORO A. DEHESA

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF VERA CRUZ

At a Luncheon at the Cocolopan Factory, October 10, 1907

In your honor, and as a testimony to your personal worth and sterling
character, as a representative of the great American people, I take
particular pleasure in tendering to you this lunch. The occasion gives
rise to the thought that your Washington and our