Park Commissioners asking them if the matter could be arranged.

It was not possible for Li Hung to send a tree from China, but he wrote
Yang Yu that he would like him to select a tree that was a native of
China.

A tree was obtained which is a native of Japan and China. It is called the
Maidenhair tree, because its leaves resemble those of the Maidenhair fern.

Its botanical name is _Gingko Biloba_.

The tree was partly planted by the gardeners, and then the Chinese
Minister, accompanied by some members of the Grant family, proceeded to
the spot to perform the ceremony in the name of Li Hung Chang.

The Minister threw a few shovelfuls of earth on the roots of the tree, and
then read some words in Chinese from a scroll he carried.

The words were translated by the Secretary, and proved to be:

"This tree is planted at the side of the tomb of General U.S. Grant,
ex-President of the United States of America, for the purpose of
commemorating him, by Li Hung Chang, guardian of the Prince, Grand
Secretary of the State, and Earl of the first order.

"YANG YU,
"Vice-President of the Centre Board.
"Kwang Hsu, 23d year, fourth moon, seventh day."

This inscription is to be cut in marble, in Chinese and also in English,