Historic homes in Washington : its noted men and women and a century in the White House, Part 1

Author: Lockwood, Mary S. (Mary Smith), 1831-1922. cn
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Washington, D.C. : National Tribune
Number of Pages: 694


USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Historic homes in Washington : its noted men and women and a century in the White House > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26


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Gc 975.3 L81h 1606656


REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02263 5186


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...


HISTORIC HOMES IN WASHINGTON.


HISTORIC HOMES


IN


WASHINGTON 1


ITS NOTED


MEN


AND


WOMEN


AND A


CENTURY IN THE WHITE HOUSE


BY


MARY S. LOCKWOOD


FULLY ILLUSTRATED


PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, WASHINGTON, D. C. 1832.


.


MOTO


1606656


COPYRIGHT, 1809. MARY & LOCKWOOD.


-


CONTENTS.


×


CHAPTER I. THE FIRST SETTLERS


CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH-THE RED MAN'S WIGWAM-THE CAMPING GROUND OF THE BRAVES-SETTLING THE COLONIES-THE CENTURY OF THE NEW NATION'S BIRTH-THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS-THE ITINERACY OF THE CONGRESS OF THE CON- FEDERATION-CONTROVERSY OVER THE LOCATION OF THE NATIONAL CAPITOL-"OBSTINATE DAVY BURNS"-THE ENGI 17 NEER OF THE CAPITOL


CHAPTER II. THE COTTAGE OF DAVID BURNS.


MEETING AT THE OLD BURNS COTTAGE-TOM MOORE'S ROOM MARCIA. BURNS-HIER MARRIAGE-ASSOCIATIONS OF THE OLDEN TIBIE. 25


CHAPTER III. DUDDINGTON MANOR.


EXTRACTS FR.OM OLD LAND PATENTS-NEW SCOTLAND-MR. POPE'S PATENT-CALLED IT ROME-DANIEL CARROLL-SOCIAL STAND- ING -- A SPECULATIVE MOVEMENT-THE HOME SWEPT AWAY. THOMAS LAW-THE BILL FOR A UNITED STATES] BANK-A CHANGE OF NAME-OCTAGON HOUSE-HOUSE OF EDWARD EVERETT, AND SOMETHING ABOUT ITS OWNERS-WIRT MAN- SION RICH IN STORIES OF THE PAST 30


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CONTENTS.


CHAPTER IV.


HISTORIC HOMES "OF "LAFAYETTE SQUARE-THE ERECTION AND OCCUPATION OF THE EXECUTIVE MANSION.


THE WHITE HOUSE-JOHN ADAMS, PRESIDENT-ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL-THE NEW CAPITOL-ONE WING OF THE CAPI- TOL ERECTED-PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE" ON PAPER-ONLY TWO COMFORTABLE HABITATIONS-MEAGER . ACCOMMODA- TIONS FOR CONGRESS-THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE-WASHING_ TON AT THE LAYING OF THE! CORNER-STONE-MRS. ADAMS FOUND EVERYTHING IN CONFUSION-LETTER TO HER SISTER. THE HOUSE UPON A GRAND SCALE-WOODS EVERYWHERE AND NO WOOD TO BURN-IN A NEW COUNTRY-FOUR MILES TO RETURN CALLS-DRIESICLOTHES IN THE EAST ROOM-THE FIRST LEVEE-ABIGAIL ADAMS AS WIFEZAND MOTHER-HER - ; LETTER TO HER HUSBAND .: 45


CHAPTER V.


THE WHITE HOUSE DURING THE- JEFFERSON. AND MADISON ADMINISTRATIONS.


THE WIFE AND DAUGHTER OF PRESIDENT JEFFERSON-MRS. ADAMS . AND MARY IN -LONDON -- MR. JEFFERSON. LEAVES. EUROPE. MARIE'S MARRIAGE TO MR. RANDOLPH+MARY'S TO MR. EPPES. JEFFERSONIAN SIMPLICITY-JACK EPPES'S SIXTEEN HUNDRED DOLLAR FOUR-IN-HAND-THE FIRST CHILD BORN IN THE WHITE HOUSE-MRS. MADISON ASSISTS MR. JEFFERSON-JEFFERSON'S CANON OF ETIQUET-MR. ADAMS AND MR. JEFFERSON ES- TRANGED-HAMILTON AND BURR-THE CAPITAL A WILDER- NESS-PARTY STRIFE RAN HIGH-OIL ON THE TROUBLED SEA OF POLITICS-NAPOLEON'S FRIENDSHIP A PRETENSE-A STROKE AT AMERICA'S COMMERCE-READY TO SHATTER HIS OWN HOUSE- HOLD-FREE TRADE AND SAILORS' RIGHTS-MADISON DE- CLARES WAR-THE BRITISH ENTER WASHINGTON-MR.S. MADI- SON AT HER BEST-HER LETTER TO HER SISTER-READY TO FLEE-SAVES WASHINGTON'S PORTRAIT AND THE - STATE PAPERS -- SHE LEAVES THE HOUSE-ESCAPES TO VIRGINIA. THE DINNER PARTY A CANARD-THE WHITE HOUSE IN ASHES. THE "OCTAGON" THEIR HOME-FRENCH TREATY SIGNED THERE. GRAND LEVEE IN 1816-RETIRES FROM PUBLIC LIFE-SLEEPS AT MONTPELIER 54


.


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER VI * ADMINISTRATIONS OF JAMES MONROE AND JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.


THE WHITE HOUSE REBUILT-MR. MONROE INAUGURATED PRESI- DENT-AN AGE OF HEROIC DEVOTION-MR. MONROE AS SEN- ATOR-MINISTER TO FRANCE-SECRETARY OF STATE-MR. MONROE PLEDGED HIS OWN CREDIT FOR HIS COUNTRY. MARRIED. ELIZABETH KORTRIGHT-SHE VISITS MADAME LA FAYETTE IN PRISON-THE WHITE HOUSE WHEN MRS. MONROE ENTERED IT-THE EAST ROOM A PLAYROOM-HENRY CLAY'S COMPROMISE BILL-THE MONROE DOCTRINE-JOHN QUINCY ADAMS ELECTED PRESIDENT-MARRIED LOUISA CATHERINE JOHNSON-SOCIAL AFFAIRS DEMAND A CABINET MEETING. ., MRS. ADAMS'S BALL-A RED-LETTER DAY FOR JACKSON. A YEAR OF CONTENTION AND STRIFE-THE HOUSE ELECTS THE PRESIDENT-INAUGURATED PRESIDENT MARCH 4, 1825. MRS. ADAMS THE PRESIDING GENIUS OF THE WHITE HOUSE .! LA FAYETTE'S FAREWELL VISIT. .65


CHAPTER VII. THE WHITE HOUSE DURING PRESIDENT JACKSON'S ADMINISTRATION.


JACKSON'S INAUGURATION-JOHN QUINCY ADAMS'S POLISHED MANNERS-REFINEMENT IN THE WHITE HOUSE-MUCH AP- PREHENSION BY THE WHITE HOUSE COTERIES-A MILITARY HERO-MRS. DONALDSON, HOSTESS-JACKSON'S CABINET. "TO THE VICTORS BELONG THE SPOILS"-THE MRS. EATON IMBROGLIO-JACKSON'S OBSTINACY-AN IGNOMINIOUS DEATH. A PAGE FOR ' "MRS. GRUNDY"-A SPIRITED ANSWER TO A FOREIGN MINISTER-JACKSON TIRED OF SOCIAL CEREMONIES. A. SELECT BALL .. 83


CHAPTER VIII.


ADMINISTRATIONS OF MARTIN VAN BUREN AND WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.


INAUGURATION OF MARTIN VAN BUREN-THE COUNTRY SUFFERS FROM A FINANCIAL CRISIS-DULL TIMES IN WASHINGTON. ATTACK UPON THE PRESIDENT'S EXTRAVAGANCE IN RE- FURNISHING THE WHITE HOUSE-RETURN OF MRS. MADISON AFTER 23 YEARS' ABSENCE -- VISIT OF FANNY ELLSLER-END OF A HALF CENTURY OF CONGRESS -- "LOG CABINS" AROUSED BY REPUBLICAN RIDICULE-"TIPPECANOE AND TYLER, TOO." CAMPAIGN OF, INTENSE EXCITEMENT-NATION SHOCKED BY DEATH OF THE PRESIDENT-MRS. HARRISON'S LOVABLE . CHARACTER 02


8


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER IX.


JOHN.TYLER IN THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE. 1


SUCCESSOR TO GEN. HARRISON-GOES OVER TO THE ENEMY-POLIT- ICAL DEATH-STEPPED THREE TIMES INTO HIGH PLACES THROUGH LUCK-MRS. ROBERT TYLER-A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN. HER IMPRESSIONS OF INTELLECTUAL GIANTS-HER, FIRST STATE DINNER-MR. WEBSTER'S COMPLIMENT-PRESIDENT TYLER A CHARMING HOST-MRS. ROBERT TYLER'S DESCRIPTION OF AN ASSEMBLY-DESCRIPTION OF ALEVEE-AUTHORS OF THE SKETCH BOOK AND PICKWICK PAPERS PRESENT -- CHARLES DICKENS'S JUST AND UNJUST CRITICISMS-MRS. LETITIA TYLER'S DEATH-MRS. LETITIA SEMPLE, LADY OF THE WHITE HOUSE. PRESIDENT TYLER MARRIES MISS GARDINER-MRS. TYLER'S PICTURE IN THE GREEN ROOM-PRESIDENT TYLER RETIRES TO VIRGINIA-ENLISTS IN THE CONFEDERATE CAUSE. 102


CHAPTER X.


WHITE HOUSE DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF JAMES K. POLK.


FOURTEEN YEARS IN CONGRESS-ANXIOUS DAYS AND WEARISOME NIGHTS-MEXICAN WAR OREGON SHIBBOLETH-MRS. POLK : A-WOMAN OF RARE EXCELLENCE-ANECDOTE OF-HENRY CLAY. POLK SURROUNDED BY GREAT MEN-IMPRESSIVE SCENE ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE-DEATH , OF JOHN QUINCY, ADAMS. LAST LEVEE OF PRESIDENT POLK-RETIRES INTO OBSCURITY. THE NEW ENGLAND WING-"OLD ROUGH AND READY"-AD- MISSION OF CALIFORNIA-MR. CLAY'S "COMPROMISE BILL." THE PRESIDENT'S FATAL ILLNESS-"BETTY BLISS"-BEAU- TIFUL WOMEN AND BRILLIANT MEN-DEATH OF THE PRESI DENT-MRS. TAYLOR RETURNS TO KENTUCKY. .114


CHAPTER XI. FILLMORE'S SUCCESSFUL: TERM.


MILLARD FILLMORE SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT-HIS INDEFATIGABLE INDUSTRY-RAPID ASCENDENCY-MASTER OF OFFICIAL ETI- QUET-A WOMAN OF RARE ATTAINMENTS-ABIGAIL FILLMORE. WHEN MARRIED-SHE WAS A TEACHER . WHILE. HE. STUDIE!Y LAW-STRUGGLE WITH POVERTY-NO DREAM OF THE WHITE HOUSE-THEY WORKED HAND IN HAND-MR. FEMMARE'S DEVOTION TO HIS WIFE -- SIGNS THE FUGITIVE SLAVE ALI .. HIS ONLY UNPOPULAR MEASURE-PIERCE'S . NOMINATION! A SURPRISE-MRS, PIERCE'S GREAT SORROW-SHADOWY DAYS OF BUCHANAN'S , ADMINISTRATION-LOVELY~ HARRIET LANE. :.... . . 123


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CONTENTS.


CHAPTER XII. THE PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVE.


ABRAHAM LINCOLN A MAN TRIED AS BY FIRE-MRS. LINCOLN'S AMBITION-CROWNING GRIEF OF ALL-ANDREW JOHNSON INAUGURATED PRESIDENT-MRS. PATTERSON AND MRS. STOVER PRESIDE OVER THE WHITE HOUSE-CITY THRONGED WITH NOTABLE PEOPLE-GEN. ULYSSES S. GRANT INAUGU- RATED-BRILLIANT PROCESSION-SPECTACLE IN THE SENATE. EXTRAORDINARY, SCENES AT INAUGURAL BALL-NELLIE GRANT'S . WEDDING. 133



CHAPTER XIII.


PRESIDENTS HAYES, GARFIELD, AND. ARTHUR.


EXCITING POLITICAL CANVASS-MRS. HAYES'S "CROWN OF GLORY." HER BROAD CULTURE-GARFIELD'S INAUGURATION-THE ASSASSIN'S HAND-WHITE HOUSE AGAIN THE SOCIAL CENTER. PRESIDENT ARTHUR'S SISTER-CRITICAL POSITION SUSTAINED ·WITH MANLY .COURAGE-GROVER CLEVELAND INAUGURATED. EX-CONFEDERATES IN THE CABINET-HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY. PERSONALITY OF MRS. CLEVELAND. 147


CHAPTER XIV.


BENJAMIN HARRISON, PRESIDENT.


REMARKABLE WOMEN. HAVE FILLED THE WHITE HOUSE-MRS. ADAMS LOST IN THE WOODS-MRS. HARRISON FOUND A CITY " FAIR TO LOOK UPON-MRS. MCKEE AND HER CHILDREN -- THE WHITE HOUSE A HIGH SOCIAL CENTER-JAMES G. BLAINE, SECRETARY OF STATE-WILLIAM WINDOM, SECRETARY OF . . THE TREASURY-ALEXANDER HAMILTON FIRST 'HELD THIS OFFICE-REDFIED PROCTOR, SECRETARY OF WAR-BENJAMIN TRACY, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY-JOHN WANAMAKER, POST- MASTER GENERAL-JOHN. W. NOBLE, SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR-WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON . MILLER, ATTORNEY- GENERAL-JEREMIAH M. RUSK, SECRETARY OF AGRICUL- TURE -- THE CABINET CENTENNIAL YEAR-PRESIDENT HARRI- SON AS BE IS TO HIS PEOPLE . 157


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CONTENTS.


CHAPTER XV.


CLEVELAND'S SECOND ADMINISTRATION.


ONE OF HIS FIRST ACTS WAS TO WITHDRAW THE HAWAIIAN TREATY-SEVERELY CRITICIZED-A FINANCIAL CRISIS-THE WILSON BILL-REVOLUTION IN CUBA-VENEZUELAN QUES- TION-MRS. CLEVELAND. .165


CHAPTER XVI. OHIO'S SON HEADS THE NATION.


TRIBUTES BY GREAT SPEAKERS TO A GREAT COMRADE-FORGING TO THE FRONT-SPRUNG FROM STURDY STOCK-PRESIDENT MCKINLEY'S DOMESTIC RELATIONS-HIS WIFE. 169


CHAPTER XVII.


HOMES ON LAFAYETTE SQUARE.


THE WHITE HOUSE THE FIRST BUILT ON THE SQUARE-ST. JOHN'S CHURCH-DECUTAR'S SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY-JEROME BONAPARTE-AN HISTORICAL PARTY-THE FATAL DUEL-AN HISTORIC ESTIMATE-HENRY CLAY IN THE DECATUR MANSION. EDWARD LIVINGSTON-OTHER MEN OF NOTE-THE SICKLES HOME-SUCCESSIVELY THE HOME OF THREE SECRETARIES OF THE NAVY-RESIDENCE OF DOLLY MADISON-FAMOUS MEN PASSED ITS PORTALS-GEN. MCCLELLAN'S HEADQUAR- TERS-HOME OF OGLE TAYLOE-SEWARD MANSION AND ITS TRAGIC. REMINISCENCES. 177


CHAPTER XVIII. THE HOME OF CHARLES SUMNER.


SUMNER'S CLASSIC HOME-THE SUCCESSOR OF DANIEL WEBSTER. A MAN OF DIGNIFIED APPEARANCE-BEN: PERLEY POORE, HIS CLERK-ESTRANGEMENT FROM GRANT-BOTH NUMBERED WITH THE GREAT MAJORITY -- HIS STUDY-LOVE OF THE BEAUTIFUL-CONNOISSEUR IN ART-INSTINCTIVE LOVE OF FREEDOM -- EULOGY-THE CORCORAN HOUSE-A MEMORABLE DISPATCH-MARQUIS DE MONTHOLON'S BALL-HOME OF JOHN ELIDELL AND OF GIDEON WELLES-REVERDY JOHNSON'S HOUSE. DANIEL WEBSTER'S RESIDENCE. 183


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1


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER XIX.


THE . HOMES - .. OF DANIEL WEBSTER, . GEORGE


BANCROFT, JOHN HAY, THOMAS RITCHIE,


MONTGOMERY BLAIR, AND ADMIRAL PORTER.


LAST HOME OF WEBSTER-GRACE FLETCHER-A BIT OF HISTORY.


WEBSTER AND CLAY RIVALS-PERSONAL RELATIONS OF WEBSTER AND CALHOUN-MR. WEBSTER'S RELATIONS WITH. MR. BENTON-A TOUCHING INTERVIEW-NOMINATION OF GENERAL SCOTT-DISAPPOINTMENT OF MR. WEBSTER-KIS LAST SPEECH-A GRACEFUL EFFORT-HIS CAREER AS A POLI- TICIAN ENDED-GEORGE BANCROFT-RANK NO PASSPORT TO POLITE 'SOCIETY-A MAN OF LETTERS -- PEN PICTURE-HIS- TORY OF THE UNITED STATES-HIS FLOWERS AND HIS FRIENDS. JOHN HAY'S HOME-WHERE SITUATED-AMONG THE HOMES OF THE LITERATI-HISTORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN-"PIKE COUNTY BALLADS."-"CASTILIAN DAYS"-MR. : NICOLAY. THOMAS RITCHIE-THE NEWSPAPER FRATERNITY-EDITOR OF THE RICHMOND WHIG-THE SLIDELL HOUSE-A DESTINY THAT SHAPES OUR ENDS. .... 195


CHAPTER XX. ANCESTRAL MT. VERNON


A PILGRIMAGE DOWN THE POTOMAC-THE CRYPT AT THE CAPITOL. FORESTRY. OF MOUNT VERNON-EPISODES OF WASHINGTON'S LIFE-A NATIONAL HERITAGE-THE ESTATE OF ABINGDON. PURCHASED BY GEORGE WASHINGTON-HOME OF JOHN PARKE CUSTIS-ARLINGTON : AND ITS TRADITIONS-WASHINGTON . RELICS-THE NATIONAL CEMETERY .215


CHAPTER XXI.


ALEXANDRIA-BRADDOCK'S ROCK-OBSERVATORY HILL.


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THE OLD BRADDOCK HOUSE-AN HISTORICAL COUNCIL-RICHARD HENRY LEE-BRADDOCK'S CONTEMPT FOR PROVINCIALS. UNDERGROUND CAUSEWAY-BRADDOCK'S ROCK-HOME OF JOHN LUCAS-HOUSE BUILT BY CHARLES W. GOLDSBOROUGH. OBSERVATORY HILL-INDIAN BURYING GROUND-JOHN POL- LOCK-"CAMP HILL"-LORENZD DOW-CHARACTERISTIC ANEC- DOTE-ST. ANN'S INFANT ASYLUM-COUNT CHARLES


DE MONTHOLON-RESIDENCE OF HENRY STEPHEN FOX-GEN. JOHN MASON. 233


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5.


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.. CONRENTS.


CHAPTER XXII. THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS AND HOMES OF FOREIGN LEGATIONS.


THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS-CUSTOMS OF NATIONS-QUESTIONS OF DIPLOMACY-FRENCH HONOR TO WASHINGTON-A GLANCE AT DIPLOMATIC SOCIAL HISTORY-THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS IN SOCIETY-MINISTER GENET AND WHY HE WAS RECALLED. THE RESIDENCES OF FOREIGN LEGATIONS-THE CZAR'S REPRE-


SENTATIVE IN WASHINGTON-THE MAGNIFICENT GERMAN EMBASSY-THE HOSPITABLE ROMEROS-JAPANESE THE


238 SOCIAL WORLD


CHAPTER XXIII.


· AN HISTORIC RECEPTION -- LAFAYETTE'S LAST VISIT TO WASHINGTON.


LAFAYETTE'S LAST VISIT TO WASHINGTON-THE NATION ALIVE WITH ENTHUSIASM-LETTER OF MRS. SEATON-THE "TENT OF WASHINGTON"-THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS-LAFAYETTE'S REPLY-MEMORABLE EVENTS AT GADSBY'S-VISIT TO MOUNT VERNON AND OTHER PLACES-MAGNIFICENT PRESENT FROM CONGRESS. 253


CHAPTER XXIV


CALVERT MANOR, KALORAMA, THE SEVEN BUILD- INGS, AND OLD CARROLL ROW.


A PICTURESQUE LOCALITY-THE CALVERT MANOR-OLD BLADENS- BURG-HENRY CLAY'S ROOM. 263


CHAPTER XXV THE HOME OF JOEL BARLOW


BEAUTIFUL KALORAMA-ROBERT FULTON AND THOMAS PAINE WELCOME THERE-ITS FAMOUS OWNER-OLD CAPITOL PRISON. HIS MISSION TO FRANCE-THE FRANZONIS. 269


CHAPTER XXVI.


HOMES OF LITERARY WOMEN-LITERARY CLUBS.


THE "SEVEN BUILDINGS," THE FORMER RESIDENCES OF PROMINENT MEN -- WHEN THE BRITISH BURNED THE CAPITOL-GIFTED MARY CLEMMER-HOME. OF "OLIVIA"-THE HOME OF MRS. SOUTHWORTH-A CHECKERED LIFE-THE AUTHOR OF "LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY"-WASHINGTON CLUBS AND SOCIETIES. 279


13


CONTENTA


CHAPTER XXVII. THE SOCIETY OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.


THE CALL BY MRS. LOCKWOOD-ORGANIZATION AT THE STRATH- MORE ARMS-THE OFFICERS-THE GREAT WORK DURING THE SPANISH WAR-THE PROPOSED CONTINENTAL HALL AT WASH- INGTON, AND OTHER OBJECTS OF PATRIOTIC EFFORT ..... 293 -


CHAPTER XXVIII.


HOMES OF FRELINGHUYSEN, MORTON, AND CHASE,


THE FRELINGHUYSEN HOUSE-HOME OF FOUR CABINET OFFICERS. ARTHUR'S ADMINISTRATION-MRS. WILLIAM C. WHITNEY A. CHARMING HOSTESS-A MAN OF LETTERS-THE OLD MANSION 'IN GOOD HANDS-THE HOOPER HOUSE-PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON A GUEST-AN INCONGRUOUS MARRIAGE-THE ENG- LISH MISSION-ESTRANGEMENT OF GRANT AND SUMNER -- A SECRET WITH ROSCOE CONKLING-THE HOME OF SALMON P.


299 CHASE AND HIS DAUGHTER.


CHAPTER XXIX.


GEORGETOWN HIGHTS -- THE CHANGES OF A


HUNDRED YEARS -- THE HOLLAND HOUSE OF WASHINGTON.


THE BEALE FAMILY-THE UNEARTHING OF ANCIENT TABLETS. AN INDIAN PRINCESS-GEORGETOWN ARISTOCRATS-THE TUDOR ESTATE-THE LINTHICUM MANSION-PHILIP BARTON KEY-GEN. FORREST AT ROSEDALE-ONE OF THE HOMES OF THE NEW WORLD-THERE THE SANITARY COMMISSION WAS PLANNED AND ORIGINATED-STATESMAN, SAGE AND PHILAN- THROPIST TO BE FOUND THERE. 306


CHAPTER XXX. THE STRATHMORE ARMS.


THE HOME OF MANY REPRESENTATIVE MEN AND WOMEN-HERE LIVED VICE-PRESIDENT WHEELER - SENATOR EDMUNDS. JUDGE HARLAN-THE HOME OF GENERAL JOHN A. LOGAN. HIS) LIFE AN OPEN BOOK-THE GENERAL AS A SCHOLAR. HIS FRIENDSHIPS-AN ANECDOTE OF THAD. STEVENS-A JOB PUT UP ON THE GENERAL -- SECRET INTERVIEW-NOMINATED VICE-PRESIDENT-A CHARMING COTERIE OF KNIGHTS OF THE FREE LANCE-UNBROKEN FRIENDSHIPS DUE THE HISTORIC HOMES IN WASHINGTON 320


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DEDICATION.


TO MY BROTHER, RODNEY B. SMITH:


When you read this page of dedication and see to whom it is inscribed, your first thought will be of the days so long ago, when hand in hand we climbed the hills and spanned the meadow brooks, because we were "nest- deserted birds. grown chill through something wanting" in our home. Of all that such a recollection implies, of saddest and sweetest to both of us, we could not speak, one to the other, without voices faltering. It is enough that each doth know the other's thought.


The boyish arm that round me clung in those sad days has stronger grown, as years have passed, in manly might, softening or enhancing the bitter or the good that each has known. To you I give this inscription, knowing my heart will be satisfied; for between me and the public I shall have, at least, one generous reader.


PREFACE.


In gathering the materials for this book, it has been the writer's aim to collect authentic data of facts, and changes that have come over the face of this fair city since the day that Capt. John Smith sailed up the Potomac, through the Colonial days; from the imaginary city, well-planned on paper, to the magnificent city of to-day. For the de- scriptions of the homes, and sketches of the men and women who have lived in them, those who made the laws of State, society and dress, old journals, family letters, and papers have been consulted, and reference had to various sources that would give authentic information for the work in hand. Something of the glory of vanished generations is herein recorded, which, with the passing of - time, might have faded away and been forgotten; yet enough remains to fill many volumes more.


But the leading spirits of this day and generation have herein been accorded a place and a habitation in history.


M. S. L.



INTRODUCTION.


"Historic Homes in Washington" will interest everv American. It is a history from which the colors have not faded. It is a romantic chronicle in which the men and women of the olden times walk and speak again, and we go with them to their firesides. The grim jurists, the doughty warriors, the mighty men of the Nation's childhood, and the stately dames and haughty belles, all pass in a living panorama sketched by the master hand of the author. Secret history of the daily life of the Capital is uncovered for the first time; the motives of statesmen and intrigues of diplomats are laid bare.


: Men and women whose names are as familiar as the epochs in our history have the loves and hates of their social world all explained, and the in-goings and out- comings of politics are elucidated with a piquancy that is as delightful to us now as it would, no doubt, have been embarrassing to many a grand personage half a century ago.


The story goes back to the days when the Father of his Country drove a hard bargain with the sturdy farmers for the site of the National Capital, and is brought down to the present time. All the famous houses and the end- less procession of great men and women who have flour- ished there awhile and passed on, fill, in turn, the fore- ground of the picture. Nothing is hidden.


The work is unique in conception as it is masterly in execution. It grows in interest as it progresses, and it must be read as a hitherto unknown chapter in our Na- tional History.


PUBLISHERS OF THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.


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HISTORIC HOMES IN WASHINGTON.


CHAPTER I.


THE FIRST SETTLERS.


CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH-THE RED MAN'S WIGWAM-THE CAMPING GROUND OF THE BRAVES-SETTLING THE COLONIES-THE CENTURY OF THE NEW NATION'S BIRTH-THE- CONTINENTAL CONGRESS-THE ITINERACY OF THE CONGRESS OF THE CON- FEDERATION-CONTROVERSY OVER THE LOCATION OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL-"OBSTINATE. DAVY BURNS"-THE ENGI- NEER OF THE CAPITAL


When Capt. John Smith, in 1608, sailed up the Poto- mac, the curling smoke from the red men's wigwams welcon ed him.


The Pow omacks, the Manahoacs, and the Anacos- tians had become powerful tribes; and here where Wash- ington stands in all its glory was the camping ground of these brave men of the forest .. . When the yearly coun- cils of the chiefs were called, it was on the banks of the beautiful Potomac that their council fires were built.


When Capt. John Smith first stepped foot upon this goodly land the days were not ripe for the new civiliza- tion, and he turned his bark down the Potomac. The years came and went. . The sound of the woodman's ax was not heard. The red men of the forest held posses- sion of the land for another decade ere the new Nation was born.


In the fullness of time there came a day for the settling of the Colonies. It was the century in which the great Queen Elizabeth died -- a century in which King James gave us the English translation of the Bible; a century


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18


HISTORIC HOMES IN WASHINGTON.


that produced a Cromwell, a William III., a Louis XIV .; a century in which Milton dreamed of Paradise Lost and Shakespere sang his songs immortal; a century that gave a new world to the nations of the earth.


After the independence of the Colonies was established, some of the cisbanded troops from Lancaster came clam- oring at the doors of Congress, then sitting in Philadel- phia, for money due them. Congress was powerless, and called upon the Metropolitan police to quell the mob. They were unwilling or unable to do so. Congress there- fore adjourned to Princeton, N. J. This awakened the people to the importance of the selection of a Capital. It could not be established in any municipal city where the Government had not jurisdiction.


For the next four years the Congress of the Confedera- tion was exercised over this subject; but as no official record of the debates has been preserved, it is only through the tenor of the resolutions adopted that we can glean an insight into the methods, or appreciate the trouble that attended a solution of the vexed question.


These years of controversy over the location of the National Capital brought to the front the foremost men of the times. Mr. Jefferson has recorded in his Ana a curious bit of history that touched the spring which gave the final action upon the adoption of the Potomac site for the National Capital.


According to Mr. Jefferson's statement, the session of 1790 'was one of dissension and bitterness, marked by an obstinate scheme of Alexander Hamilton's to assume the State debts, amounting to $20,000,000. An amendment Fa l been offered to the pending act covering this amount, which was rejected by the House. At this time Jefferson v as Secretary of State and Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury.


Hamilton was nervous and excited, and urged Jeffer- son to aid in its recommendation. The North favored assumption, and the South opposed it. Jefferson and Hamilton met on the streets, and, arm in arm, walked beck. and forth before the President's house for half an hour .::


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THE FIRST SETTLER3.


Jefferson says that "Hamilton was in despair. He painted pathetically the temper into which the Legisla. ture had been wrought, the disgust of those called the 'creditor States,' the danger of the secession of its mem- bers and the separation of the States. He said that the members of the Administration ought to act in concert; that the President was the center on which all adminis- trative questions finally rested; that all of us should rally . around him, and support, by joint effort, measures ap- proved by him; that an appeal from me to the judgment and discretion of my friends might effect a change in the vote, and the machinery of Government, now suspended, might be set in motion.


"I told him that I was really a stranger to the whole subject, not having yet informed myself of the system adopted. That if its rejection endangered dissolution of the Union at this incipient stage, I should deem it the most unfortunate of all consequences; to avert which, all partial and temporary evils should be yielded. I pro posed to him to dine with me the next day, and I would invite another friend or two, and bring them into confer- ence together, and I thought it impossible that reason- able men, consulting together coolly, could fail, by some mutual sacrifices of opinion, to form a compromise that . would save the Union.




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