His Majesty has long been imbued with the immense utility which would result for Belgium from the possession of some commercial establishment outside… - Jules Van Praet

There is no longer a single government that colonizes. There is only individual colonization.

My dear Mr. Banning, I am returning the 2nd sheet to you. I find this of extreme interest. You would have to read many volumes to acquire the geographical notions that you have so condensed into a few pages. I read this with great charm. You're giving the matter a nice boost. I have no comments to make. I made a small cross at the top of page 28, because I thought it was better to put "revise" instead of "revis" or "undertook" instead of "undertakes." A thousand friendships. (s) Jules Van Praet.

Always tell the truth, even if it should make him jump out of his shoe.