User:LavaBaron/DC

Diplomatic correspondence are forms of formal correspondence exchanged between states.

Lettre de Cabinet
Lettres de Cabinet are formal, written communiques between two ruling monarchs. They are composed in the first person and open with the salutation "Sir [Madame, in the case of women] My Brother" (or sister, cousin, or other relation as appropriate). Lettres de Cabinet are inscribed on smaller sheets of paper than Lettres de Chancellerie.

Lettre de Chancellerie
Lettres de Chancellerie are formal, written communiques between two heads of state, at least one of whom is the leader of a republic. Alternatively, it might be used between two ruling monarchs, one of whom is Christian, and the other not. In cases of a communique between a republican leader and a reigning monarch they are addressed from the personal name and full title of the leader to the full title of the monarch, and generally open with the salutation "Great and Good Friend" and may close with either "Your Good Friend" or "In Highest Esteem and Consideration". Unlike the Lettre de Cabinet, the Lettre de Chancellerie is written in the third person.

An example of a Lettre de Chancellerie is the correspondence from Abraham Lincoln to Rama IV declining the offer of war elephants for the United States Army. The letter begins:

Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America To His Majesty Somdetch Phra Paramendr Maha Mongut, King of Siam, etc., etc. Great and Good Friend: I have received Your Majesty's two letters of the date of February 14th, 1861.

Another example of a Lettre de Chancellerie can be seen in correspondence to the Emperor Kōmei from Millard Filmore, delivered by Commodore Oliver Perry. Refusing to accept a Lettre de Chancellerie is a significant affront and, after Japanese officials so declined, Perry threatened to land United States Marines and march on Kyoto if an official of sufficiently high rank did not accept delivery. The letter opens:

Millard Fillmore, President of the United States of America To His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Japan Great and Good Friend! I send you this public letter by Commodore Matthew C. Perry, an officer of the highest rank in the navy of the United States, and commander of the squadron now visiting Your imperial majesty's dominions.

In keeping with the formality demanded by diplomatic correspondence, the letter closes:

May the Almighty have your imperial majesty in His great and holy keeping! In witness whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed, and have subscribed the same with my name, at the city of Washington, in America, the seat of my government, on the thirteenth day of the month of November, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.

Lettres de Chancellrie are typically inscribed on foolscap, or paper of 17 xx dimensions.