USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Historic homes in Washington : its noted men and women and a century in the White House > Part 19
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Ambassador is a term applied to the highest class of Diplomatic representatives.
For a century the Sovereign of England sent Ambassa- dors only to countries to represent one potentate to an- other, while Ministers and Envoys were sent to, rep- resent the state and not the potentate.
The Queen of England, for instance, sent Ambassadors to Sovereigns, and as the United States, and not the Presi- dent, is always represented by its diplomats, only Ministers Plenipotentiary were sent here. But to-day, through some changes of diplomatic courtesy, ambas- sadors are exchanged with the following countries: Great Britain, Italy, Germany, France, Russia, and Mexico.
Ambassadors Extraordinary are sent on special mis- sions, and occupy more exalted positions than Ambassa- dors Resident. It is the custom of nations to appoint and exchange Diplomatic agents of equal grade.
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The date of the Diplomat's credentials regulates the order of individual precedence at Washington. The senior, under these regulations, is known as the Dean, or Doyen, of the Diplomatic Corps. Upon all official or ceremonial occasions the Dean is the leader of the brilliant array and presents his colleagues.
It is customary for the President to entertain the chief members and ladies of the Corps at a reception and at a State dinner once during the season. This is in rec- ognition of the Sovereigns they represent, and not to the Ministers personally.
All questions of diplomacy must first go to the Secre- tary of State. Count Moustier, the French Minister, put forward the claim of personal intercourse with the President, but Washington was inexorable, and all cor- respondence was conducted through the usual channel, the chief of foreign affairs.
In the early days of the Republic the foreign Diplo- mats exerted a wonderful influence in shaping public affairs. It was of much more importance that our foreign policy be looked after than the domestic. Within three months after the Declaration of Independence was pro- mulgated, negotiations commenced for recognition of the American Colonies.
France being an ally, there was appointed a Diplo- matic agent before the close of the war. With the es- tablishment of the Government in 1789, the Marquis de Moustier, French Minister, gave a grand ball in honor of President Washington's Inauguration. When Martha Washington arrived at the Capital, then New York, the French, Spanish, and Dutch Ministers were guests at the State dinner. .
During the French Revolution, when the old regime was relegated to the past, Genet was sent here as Minis- ter. He arrived in Charleston in April, 1793. He had a triumphant reception in Philadelphia, May 20. No sooner had he arrived than he began the formation of clubs in imitation of the Jacobin clubs of Paris. The bust of Louis XVI., in the vestibule of the President's Ilouse, gave him great concern; and because America
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did not embark in the cause of France against England, in contradiction to Washington's neutral proclamation, he bitterly denounced the American Government for want of sympathy toward the French Republic.
In consequence of many imprudent things which he did, Washington demanded and obtained his recall. Genet did not return to France, but settled in the State of New York, became an American citizen, and married Cornelia Tappan Clinton, daughter of Governor Clinton, of New York.
When Mr. Monroe was President an issue arose be- tween him and the French Minister regarding an in- vitation given by M. Hyde de Neuville to his Excellency to attend a grand fete in honor of the evacuation of France by the allied troops. It became a subject of Diplomatic negotiations.
The President and Mrs. Monroe declined the invita- tion, not wishing to do anything in contradiction of former rule of precedence. No President in the past had visited the house of a foreign Minister. The Presi- dent, through Secretary Adams, informed the Minister that he would request his daughter, Mrs. Hay, to be present.
This was the beginning of a social war. The Diplo- matic ladies had not first called on Mrs. Hay, she not being a member of the President's household; therefore, she sent word to the Minister that she would be present as the daughter of James Monroe, and not as the daugh- ter of the President of the United States, which left the position of the ladies the same as before the ball.
The terms were accepted, but social relations ended between Mrs. Hay and the ladies of the Diplomatic Corps. When President Monroe's youngest daughter was married to Samuel Lawrence, Governor of New York-which was the first wedding in the White House -the foreign Ministers were uncertain what etiquet exacted of them.
The Russian Minister, Politca, called on Mrs. Adams for instructions. She approached Mrs. Hay for her views. The latter, although a daughter of the Presi-
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dent, vet not a member of the Executive family, assumed the responsibility of dictating the etiquet of the Adminis- tration. As she did not visit the houses of foreign Minis- ters, she decided that her sister could not receive visits which she, Mrs. Hay, could not reciprocate.
. Thus one woman seemed powerful enough to wage a war that was as complete in cutting off all intercourse with the Diplomatic Corps as an embargo is in closing ports in time of rebellion.
Thomas Jefferson, when President, was quite success- ful in bringing on an irrepressible conflict with the Eng- lish Minister, Mr. Anthony Merry. At a State dinner the President was conversing with Mrs. Madison, wifc of the Secretary of State, who was presiding lady, as she often was in the absence of Mrs. Randolph. He escorted her to the dining-room in place of Mrs. Merry, who was the most distinguished invited guest.
The Minister felt deeply insulted, and at once sent his .. grievance to his Government. Secretary Madison com- municated with our Minister at the Court of St. James, placing the facts at his disposal. Minister Monroe was delighted; for only a short time before an under-Secre- tary of the English Government had been assigned the precedence over Mrs. Monroe.
A war between the nations was averted by a word in time; but Mrs. Merry never again passed the portals of the White House, and the Minister only when business 'called him. And Tom Moore, who was in Washington, took up the quarrel and cried "me too," and went off and wrote poetry about America.
The members of the different Legations contribute largely to the social enjoyment of Washington, and many of the most brilliant entertainments ever given have been by the Diplomatic Corps.
Through all the years that make up the past century there have been very few interruptions to this social good feeling, and very few occasions have been given to merit a demand for a recall of a Diplomatic representative.
The first was Minister Genet, of France, in 1793, for reasons already given. During President Jefferson's
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second term a difference arose between Spain and the United States, on the boundary question. Marquis d' Yrujo, Minister Resident of Spain, was accused of bribing a Federal newspaper to support Spainsh in- terests.
This brought forth the bill of John Quincy Adams in the Senate, "To protect the abuse of privileges of foreign Ministers." Minister d' Yrujo's recall was asked, and complied with. Had Spain turned a deaf ear to. the request, the bill would have passed. This was in the year 1807.
Jackson, of Great Britain, was recalled in 1809. He succeeded Erskine, but soon became involved in a quarrel with the Secretary of State. His communications were indecorous and insolent, and the President directed the Secretary to receive no further communications from him, and soon asked for his recall.
This was complied with, but no censure rested upon the Envoy by his Government, neither was another sent in his place until after the treaty of peace was signed.
Poussin, of France, was recalled in 1849, when Zach- ary Taylor was President. Mr. Crampton, of Great Britain, was handed his passports in 1856; and inter- course with Russia was suspended in 1871 when Mr. Catacazy was recalled. The last was the recall of Min- ister West at the instigation of President Cleveland.
The homes of the most distinguished of the Legations are the British, the Russian, the Mexican and the Chinese.
The British Legation residence is one of the finest, and was built during the time when Sir Edward Thornton was England's Minister here, at a cost of $125,000. It stands on the corner of Connecticut avenue and N street, and was almost the first house of any pretension built in what is now known as the West End.
The ground was purchased at a small figure, not a tithe of what it is worth to-day. The house is a large, commodious brick structure, and with its substantial stable, outbuildings and garden, occupies nearly a square.
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When it was commenced it was set down in a barren waste, but to-day it is in the center of the fashionable residences of Washington.
Shade trees stretch their protective branches over the building and the English ivy spreads a green mantle over the somber walls. The house stands far enough back from the street to give an air of seclusion to the place; the grounds are inclosed by an iron fence, and a porte cochere, over which is placed the British coat- of-arms, is a prominent feature.
The front door.is approached by asphalt walks, and another leads to a side door on the rear of the house, where the offices of the Legation are situated. Two or three small, stuffy rooms in a corner are given to official matters; the rest of the house is the Minister's private residence. None but his personal friends can hope to enter behind the "massive handle of the 'big front door;" a letter may reach him, a card never.
If, by a stroke of good luck, you should obtain the open sesame to this grand home, you would find a spacious hall from which rises a heavy oaken staircase. Upon the first landing is a magnificent portrait of Queen Victoria. It is the picture of a beautiful girl of 18 in coronation robes. All of the British Legations of the. world have, as a part of the furniture, a picture of the Queen, which is supplied by the British Government.
The house, one of the largest in Washington, is lux- uriously furnished, and in it as many can be comfort- ably entertained as at the Executive Mansion.
The British Ministers to the United States, for many years, have been almost invariably bachelors or widowers. Sir Charles Vaughan, who was the Minister when Jack- son was President, lived in the old Decatur mansion, which is now the residence of Gen. Beale. Sir Charles was a beau in general of the olden style; he was courtly in manner, ceremonious in detail; he gave numerous entertainments, chiefly breakfasts, to the belles of the time, always inviting married ladies for chaperons.
He was succeeded by Minister Fox, who was more dis- tinguished, perhaps, than any other as being the home-
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liest man in Washington. He lived in the house once owned by John Mason, now the Infant Asylum, on Penn- sylvania avenue, near Washington Circle. He was passionately fond of games. It is said that he often played with Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John M. Clay- ton and James Buchanan, and the amount of money won and lost was astounding.
Mr. Fox was followed by Mr. Pakenham, who lived in the Corcoran house. He was considered a cautious diplo- mat, looking well after England's interests. He en- tertained royally, and many a splendid dinner showed the Italian hand of the cautious diplomat in the social menu.
At the time Sir Philip Crampton was British Minis- ter, Lord Elgin arrived in Washington to ratify the Reciprocity Treaty with Canada. His secretary was Lawrence Oliphant, in whose diary we find some inter- esting matter that makes rather lively reading. He says:
"We arrived in Washington on the day which was pregnant with fate to the destinies of the Republic. The same night the celebrated Nebraska bill was passed in Congress, the effect of which was to open an extensive territory to slavery, the solution of which was to culmi- nate seven years after in the civil war.
"A few nights later, at a dinner given in Lord Elgin's name, by a prominent member of Congress, who has since filled the office of Secretary of State, I met Senator Toombs. It was a grand banquet, at which all the guests were men, with the exception of the wife of our host; he, himself, was a Whig, and the situation, politi- cally, was freely discussed.
""Senator Toombs, a large, splendidly-developed speci- men of manhood, had a tendency to orate rather than converse in society. He waited for a pause and then addressed Lord Elgin thus:
" Yes, my Lord, we are about to relume the torch of liberty upon the altar of slavery.'
"Upon which our hostess, with a winning smile, and in the most silvery accents imaginable, said:
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" 'Oh, I am so glad to hear you say that again, Senator, for I told my husband that you had made use of exactly the same expression to me yesterday, and he said you would not have talked such nonsense to anybody but a woman.'
"The shout of laughter which greeted this sally abashed even the worthy Senator."
Later on he says: "I am getting perfectly stunned with harangues upon political questions. I don't under- stand or comprehend the nomenclature of each, Whigs, Democrats, Hardshells, Softshells, Free Soilers, and Dis- unionists, to say nothing of Filibusters, Pollywogs, and a host more of nicknames.
"There are some interesting men here. Col. Fremont, a spare, wiry man with a keen gray eye and a face ex- pressing great determination, and Col. Benton, who is writing a great work, and is quite a fine man.
"After we had received the hospitality of Washington about 10 days, Lord Elgin announced to Mr. Marcy, the Secretary of State, that if the Government were pre- pared to adhere to their promise to conclude a treaty of reciprocity with Canada, he could assure the Presi- dent that he would find a majority of the Senate in its favor, including several prominent Democrats.
"A thorny question was intimately associated with the discussion of the treaty, which was settled by it for the time, and this was the question of the fisheries off the coast of British North America claimed by the Ameri- can fishermen.
"Meantime, to my inexperienced mind, no progress was being made in our mission. Lord Elgin had an- nounced its object, on his arrival, to the President and Secretary of State, and had been informed by them that it was quite hopeless to think any such treaty could be carried through with the opposition which existed toward it on the part of the Democrats, who had a major- ity in the Senate, without the ratification of which no treaty could be concluded. His Lordship was farther assured, however, that if he could overcome this opposi-
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tion he would find no difficulty on the part of the Govern- ment .: "
Pursue the diary a little further, and we see unfolded the golden way into the secret service of diplomacy.
"At last, after several days of uninterrupted festivity, I began to see what we were driving at. To make quite sure, I said one day to my chief: I find all my most intimate acquaintances are Democratic Senators.'
"'So do I,' he dryly replied, and indeed his popularity among them at the end of a week was unbounded."
Sir Philip Crampton, in honor of the Queen's birth- day, gave a ball.
"More was accomplished last night in the way of ne- gotiation than has been accomplished from the days of the Ashburton treaty to the advent of Elgin.
."We regard the fishery question as settled. Both parties have partaken freely of the bait so liberally pro- vided by the noble host. Amid the soft footfalls of fairy feet, the glittering of jewels, the graceful sweep of $500 dresses, the sparkling of eyes which shot forth alter- nately flashes of lightning and love, there were two men who seemed to be the observed of all observers; one was Lord Elgin and the other Sir Charles Gray.
"The large and brilliant company broke up at a late hour, and departed for their respective homes, pleased with their courtly and courteous host, pleased with the monarchical form of Government in England, pleased with the republican form of Government in the United States, pleased with each other, with themselves, and with the rest of mankind.
"The treaty was made out by the midnight oil, so near 12 o'clock that it was difficult to say whether the date should be vesterday or to-day.
"There is something strangely mysterious and sug- gestive in the scratching of that midnight pen, for it may be scratching fortunes or ruin to toiling millions.
"Then the statesman takes up his pen to sign his signa- ture; his hand does not shake, though he is very old and knows the abuse that is in store for him from members of Congress and an enlightened pen. That hand, they
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say, is not unused to a revolver, and it does not now waver, though the word he traces may be an involver of a revolver again.
"He is now Secretary of State; before that he was a Judge of the Supreme Court; before that a General of the Army; before that a Governor of a State; before that Secre- tary of War: before that Minister to Mexico; before that a member of the House of Representatives; before that a politician; before that a cabinet maker. He ends as he began, with Cabinet work; so he gives us his bless- ing and the treaty is duly signed.
"I retire to dream of its contents, and am troubled in my sleep by the recurring refrain of the three im- pressive words with which the pregnant document con- cludes, 'unmanufactured tobacco and rags.'
"Thus was concluded, in exactly a fortnight, a treaty which had been under discussion seven years.
"Lord Elgin achieved a remarkable diplomatic triumph. He was certain of his game from the first, and played it with easy confidence. All obstacles melted before his subtle touch."
Oh, magnates of the Nation! Alas! alas! Gastronomy has become a fine art in the eyes of an Englishman, and you have been pictured to all Europe as devoted apostles.
. In his diary, Mr. Oliphant also gives figures to prove the enormous commercial advantages given to Canada by the treaty. We will leave it to politicians to figure out the advantage to the United States.
"In 1853, the year prior to our mission to Washington, the exports to the States amounted to S20,000,000. In 1854 the treaty began to operate, and the volume went up $33,000,000, and so on until 1866, when the treaty was ab- rogated by the action of the Americans, when it had reached the high figure of $84,000,000."
He still insists that the Americans' "Fee, fi, fo, fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman," was detrimental to Canada's commercial prosperity.
Lord Napier was Minister just before the civil war commenced. His wife was one of the most beautiful women ever seen in Washington society.
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At the beginning of the war Lord Lyons, a man of rare gifts, a bachelor, was sent to represent the mother country. William H. Seward was Secretary of State. These men became very intimate friends, and it will prob- ably never be known how much this country owes to this friendship in warding off an alliance between the South and England.
Sir Frederic Bruce walked in the footsteps' of Lord Lyons. He, too, was without a family. Sir Frederic and the classic Charles Sumner were bosom friends. He died in Boston, of diphtheria, during President Grant's . Administration.
. After Mr. Bruce came Sir Edward Thornton, who was the first to live in the present Legation home. He was followed by Sir Lionel S. Sackville West. His household consisted of three daughters. The elder, Victoria, was the presiding lady of the Legation; when she arrived in Washington, in 1881, she was but 17 years of age. In the superintendence of the house, directing ceremonial dinners and social entertainments, in fact in attending to all the details of such an establish- ment, she was supreme. . But perhaps the meed of praise given to this queen of society was in the close relation existing between the father and daughter; to him she was always a wise counsellor, a judicious manager, a loving, tender daughter.
Flora, the second daughter, was married to Gabriel Salanson, Secretary of the French Legation during her father's stay in Washington. Amelia, the youngest daughter, made her debut with great eclat at the Le- gation. It was one of the seasons of social glory.
Sir Lionel was succeeded by Sir Julian Pauncefote, who affixes the letters G. C. B., C. M. G. Ambassador E. and P., to his name-a courageous man, when one letter was sufficient to immortalize his predecessor. Sir Julian is the most popular representative of Her Majesty that has been sent to this country as Minister or Ambassador. To him more than to. any of his predecessors belongs the credit of the unity of good feeling now existing be- tween the United States and Great Britain Great is
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the pity that the law of civil service will recall him from duty when he is such a benefactor to both Nations.
Stewart Castle, on Dupont Circle, was built by Senator Stewart, of Nevada, about the time the British Legation was built by Sir Edward Thornton. For a time they were lone sentinels, watching the course of empire take its way toward the West End.
The English Legation always wears apparently a spick-span new dress and assumes a youthful appearance, while Stewart Castle puts on the air of centuries, resem- bling some old knight-watch of the Rhine, with its towers, turrets and colored windows.
The Chinese Legation, after many changes of residence, settled down in this home, and many an evening in the park and grounds surrounding the house could have been seen a coterie of celestials in pigtails and petti- coats, lounging and frolicking in native abandonment. The Minister gives liberally toward the entertainment of Washington society in the way of dinner parties, balls, etc., and the members of the Legation are seen often wherever society congregates.
The furnishing of Stewart Castle was much as Mrs. Stewart left it, except as oriental fancy dictated changes. All the arm-chairs had been collected in the large drawing- room, where row after row were ranged in line until the room looked like a parlor car on a large scale.
The offices of the Legation were on the ground floor, the upper stories were used for domestic purposes.
The Legation is now settled in the house occupying the southeast corner of Q and 18th streets. Wu Ting- fang, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, is the present chief representative of China.
The representative of the Czar lives now at 1829 I street, and is Comte Cassini, Ambassador Etraordinary and Plenipotentiary. The Legation used to be at the house known as "Boss" Shepherd's, on the corner of K street and Connecticut avenue.
When this house became a lost paradise to one of Wash-
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ington's greatest benefactors, it was regained by Senator Cameron. The Chinese Legation occupied it before mov- ing to Stewart Castle. The rooms are spacious and the d awing-room and ball-room quite as commodious as those of the English Legation.
The German Empire owned its Legation building for many years on 15th street near Wormley's Hotel. It is now on the terrace No. 1435 Massachusetts avenue.
The whole German Empire is not as large as Nebraska and Dakota by 15,000 square miles, but with a population as large, by about five millions, as that of the whole United States. Diplomatic intercourse between the two countries has moved along practically without jar or friction. The Empire is now represented by the the courtly and accomplished gentleman, Her von Holleben, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipo- tentiary. *
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The Japanese also own their own Legation residence. It is a substantial, four-story brick building at 1310 N street, purchased from Gen. Capron several years ago. The present Minister, Mr. Jutaro Komura, E. E. and M. P., is a gentleman of education and culture.
The members of the "Sunrise Kingdom" have con- tributed largely to the social enjoyment of Washington. They readily conform to the customs of the country in education, manners and dress. It is not a novel thing to see the hand of the Japanese Oriental given in marriage to the fair of the Occident.
The Mexican Legation is one of the most attractive homes among the foreign representatives. The Govern- ment was ably represented by Senor Don Matias Romero, who was for many years in the Diplomatic ser- vice of his country, and rendered important assistance not only to his own country, but to the United States, in bringing about a better understanding between the two Nations.
He gave always advanced republican ideas and his
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