and was received by a committee appointed by the president, consisting,
of Commissioners John K. Stewart, John C. Woodbury and James H.
Callanan. The ceremony took place in the presence of Honorable David R.
Francis, president of the Exposition Company, the Director of Works, and
other Exposition officials, the committee of the New York State
Commission and invited guests.

The exercises were brief but impressive. President Francis spoke as
follows:


REMARKS OF PRESIDENT FRANCIS

"A universal exposition, either in the United States or elsewhere, would
be incomplete if the Empire State of the American Union were not
represented. This site has been selected for the great State of New
York, and upon this location we trust there will be erected a structure
which will be in keeping with the glorious record New York and her sons
have made from the beginning of this country. New York needs no encomium
from me, none in fact from her sons. She speaks for herself. The
Director of Works will present to the chairman of the New York
Commission the site for the building of the State of New York."

Honorable Isaac S. Taylor, Director of Works, then formally presented
the site to the Commission, handing to Commissioner John K. Stewart a
handsome banner of purple silk, upon which was painted the coat of arms
of the State of New York. Driving the staff in the ground, thus marking
the site, Commissioner Stewart said: