I have been very deeply gratified and very much moved by the receipt of the silk embroidered scroll presented to me by the citizens of the Chinese Republic resident at Chefoo, China. My thoughts constantly turn to the great nation now struggling to its feet as a conscious, self–governing people, and it makes me very proud indeed that they should look to the United States as to their friend and exemplar in the great tasks which lie ahead of them.
I beg that you will take some means of conveying to the citizens who so graciously and generously send me this token of their respect my appreciation not only of their kindness and generosity but also my best wishes for their own happiness and prosperity and my earnest hope that not once in the recognition and first greeting of the Republic, but many times in the years to come, this country may have the opportunity to show its cordial friendship for China and all those who work for her lasting benefit.
This scroll will always be for me a momento of one of the most gratifying incidents of my incumbency of the Presidency of the United States.