During that period, Henry Sanford, the owner of Belair Grove, actively courted President Arthur and high-ranking Republicans in the U.S Congress as part of his bid to win recognition in the country, and with it, international legitimacy, for King Leopold II (1835-1909) of Belgium's colonial enterprise in the Congo, what would become known as the Congo Free State. In 1883, acting on behalf of the King Leopold, Sanford mounted a lobbying campaign in Washington, D.C. Preceding these efforts, Sanford regularly corresponded with the President and influential legislators about the Belgian Congo. As part of his lobbying efforts, Sanford regularly sent boxes of Florida oranges to high-ranking officials. This list of recipients reflects the efforts of Sanford to sway public figures in positions of power.]]> Sanford Museum, Sanford, Florida.]]> Sanford Museum, Sanford, Florida.]]> Belair Grove Collection, Henry Shelton Sanford Papers Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Connecticut Historical Society after 1901.]]> Tennessee State Library and Archives for processing until June 1, 1960.]]> Sanford Museum in 1960.]]> Sanford Museum in Sanford, Florida. Rights to this item belong to the said institution, and therefore inquiries about the item should be directed there. RICHES of Central Florida has obtained permission from the Sanford Museum to display this item for educational purposes only.]]>