The cordial cooperation of the Government, through the State Department, was a source of great satisfaction to the committee, giving, as it did, not only currency to the circular, but putting the weight and dignity of the Government behind our action.  For this, and for the extremely valuable circular so finely adapted to the need, and so eloquently setting forth the objects of the exposition and the aims and desires of this board, we are, as in so many other things, indebted to the experience and ability of Mrs. Manning.

    His Excellency the MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF ——.

EXCELLENCY:  By an act of Congress of the United States, the board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition is directed to join with the other constituted authorities in commemorating the great event in the history of the United States when, a century ago, there was added to its territory a new field which to-day is the home of many people, and where earnest and sincere women, as well as men, are laboriously working out the problem of the progress of humanity and the advancement of the race.

No single individual, no one people, no separate country can supply that full knowledge from which may be fixed the conditions of mankind, its development in the industries, the arts, the sciences at the commencement of the twentieth century.  The entire world must contribute to this knowledge, and therefore the entire world has been invited to take part in this universal exposition and to bring hither the fruit of the lands, the products of other soils, the articles manufactured by foreign hands, and evidences of the achievements of the intellect and intelligence in the higher fields of thought.

While in gathering these things there is no distinction made between the product of man’s hand and of woman’s hand, nevertheless, it is the peculiar function of this board to act as the channel through which women, as individuals, and as organizations, may be brought into immediate communication with the exposition at St. Louis.

It is, therefore, with cordiality and eagerness that we invite the women of your country to join with us in presenting to the world the information of the condition, opportunities, development, and promises of their sex in their own country and to exhibit at the exposition specimens of their productions and examples of their activities, manual and mental, scientific and artistic.

And coupled with this invitation, we would express the hope that we may be permitted to be of personal service to such women as may visit the exposition in person, or to give special attention to the exhibits of such as may not be able to come.

Requesting your excellency’s good offices to the end that the publicity may be given to the invitation in order that it may come to the knowledge of the women of the country, we beg to assure you of the high consideration with which we are,

    Your obedient servant,
    MARY MARGARETTA MANNING,
    President.