Executive Order

To all to whom these presents shall come; greeting:

Know ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, prudence, and ability of John Hay, Secretary of State of the United States, I have invested him with full and all manner of power and authority, for me and in the name of the United States, to meet and confer with any person or persons duly authorized by the Government of his Imperial Majesty the German Emperor, King of Prussia, and the Government of her Britannic Majesty being en-trusted with like power and authority, and with them to negotiate, conclude, and sign a convention to adjust amicably the questions which have arisen between the three Governments in respect to the Samoan group of islands, the same to be transmitted to the President of the United States for his ratification by and with the advice and consent of the Cabinet thereof.

In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed.

Given under my hand at the city of Washington, the 1st day of December, in the year of our Lord 1899, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and twenty-third.

WILLIAM MCKINLEY

By the President:

JOHN HAY,

Secretary of State.