"Most Excellent''

Having been appointed Ecuadoran Minister to the U. S., Senor Francisco Ochoa Ortiz arrived at the Capital, went to the White House, presented to President Coolidge his letter of credence. Wrote Senor Ortiz to the President: "Most Excellent Mr. President:

"I have the honor to place in your hands, Most Excellent Sir, the autographed letters of the Most Excellent, the President of the Republic of Ecuador, which bring to an end the diplomatic mission entrusted to my distinguished predecessor, the Most Excellent Senor Doctor Don Rafael H. Elizalde, and which accredit me in the high capacity of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary near the Government of Your Excellency.

"In so delivering this letter, it affords me great pleasure to say to you, Most Excellent Sir, that one of the main objects of the missions with which I am entrusted is to continue and make closer, if it were possible, the good relations which happily exist between the two countries; to which end I believe I may rely, without a doubt, on the most important cooperation of the Government of Your Excellency.

"In the name of the Most Excellent, the President of the Republic of Ecuador, and in my own, I make, Most Excellent Sir, the most sincere and fervent wishes for the growing prosperity of your great country, for the continuance of the success of the Government over which you ably preside and for the personal happiness of Your Excellency."

President Coolidge replied:

. . . "The friendship of your Government for the United States, so generously expressed, affords me abundant assurance that you will so conduct the affairs of your mission as to advance the interests common to both Governments ; and it will be my pleasant duty to cooperate most heartily to this end. . . .

"I thank you, Mr. Minister, for the friendly sentiments and good wishes which you express on behalf of His Excellency, the President of Ecuador, and for your own which you so courteously add. I shall be grateful if you will assure your Government of the similar sentiments which are entertained by the American people and by myself.

"I am happy to accord you formal recognition in your high capacity and trust that your residence among us may be a most pleasant one."