USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Historic homes in Washington : its noted men and women and a century in the White House > Part 8
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The Court of "Martin the First" was pronounced re- markable for its stupidity. The White House had been opened but twice during the Winter, and the Cabinet officers had closed their doors and shrunk into the privacy of home life, in striking contrast to the brilliant fetes given by the former Cabinet. Private individuals had well sustained the social responsibilities of the Government, and had dispensed hospitalities with a lavish hand, but it had become an irksome task.
We can readily see, when dullness hung like a pall over society, why Congress adjourned to see the great En- chantress, Fanny Ellsler. We read in Hunter's "Sou- venir of the New National Theater" that on Monday, July 6, 1840-
"The city was electrified by that graceful goddess, Fanny Ellsler, the most famous dancer on the globe. She literally turned the heads of the audience by the love- liness of her undraped limbs, and magnetized them by her exquisite grace of motion. The audience seemed to have been changed by her Circean power into shouting lunatics and the New National Theater was the scene of wild and extravagant action. Men and women vied with each other in cheering. Gentlemen hurled up their watch chains and rings on the stage, and the fair sex stripped their arms of their bracelets and followed suit, until the stage floor gleamed with he jewels at the feet of the ador- able Ellsler, who stood a veritable Danae in this shower of gold."
MARRIAGE OF THE PRESIDENT'S SON.
November, 1838, Maj. Van Buren, the President's old- est son, married Angelina Singleton, of South Carolina. Her first appearance at the White House was at the New Year's levee, when she was supported by the ladies of the Cabinet in receiving with the President. From a leiter written by a gentleman who once saw President Van Buren at St. John's Church, we make the following extract:
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"Over his shoulders hung a very blue Spanish cloak. On his appearance up drove a splendid carriage drawn by two beaut.ful blooded horses. The carriage of his Ex- cellency was the most superb thing I have yet seen. It was of dark olive hue, with ornaments elegantly dispersed, shining as bright as burnished gold. When I was in Paris I saw Louis Philippe drive out frequently to Ver- sailles and back to the Tuileries. When I was in London I saw the Queen as frequently drive out from Buckingham Palace around Hyde Park. When I was at Windsor I also saw the same royal personage drive from the castle to the chapel. I have seen all these, but I must say that the carriage and the horses, the ordinary equipage of the Chief Democrat of this loco-foco equality, is far more elegant, superb and splendid than that of either of the other great and royal personages. The servant dashed up the steps, banged to the door, jumped up behind, and away rolled the head of the Republican party, with an air and style that can equal and surpass that of any crowned head of Europe.'
GEN. HARRISON TAKES THE PRESIDENTIAL CHAIR.
On the 3d of March, 1839, the last page was written of 50 years of Congress-a half century under the present Constitution. The day was signally commemorated by a grand fete given by the Russian Minister, Bodisco, who lived very elegantly in Georgetown; and Martin Van Buren vacated the Executive Mansion, to be succeeded by Gen. Harrison.
As soon as the news had gone abroad that the Baltimore Convention had nominated Gen. Harrison, the Baltimore Republicans treated the nomination with the most con- temptuous ridicule, and jeeringly observed that if the Whigs would just give Gen. Harrison a barrel of hard cider and settle upon him a pension of $2,000 a year, "my word for it, he will sit the remainder of his days in his log cabin by the side of the sea-coal fire and study mental philosophy."
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HISTORIC HOMES IN WASHINGTON.
This was spoken in an evil hour. It roused all the "log cabins" in the country. At the ever-memorable mass-meeting held in Canton, May 5, at which 20,000 people were present, there was a procession representing every State, with log cabins mounted on trucks, accom. panied by barrels of hard cider, from which everybody was welcome to drink. This meeting was attended by Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, John J. Crittenden, Thomas Corwin, Millard Fillmore, John P. Kennedy, Henry A. Wise and other prominent Whig leaders. Among the speakers, John V. L. McMahon also addressed the meet- ing, and on rising to his feet used the expression that will never be obliterated from politics: "I call the Nation to order;" and, later on, said: "Every mountain sent its r 11, every valley its stream, and, lo! the avalanche of the people is here."
From that time until the election in November every city, town and hamlet kept up the highest pitch of excite- ment and enthusiasm by mass meetings, barbecues, log cabins, hard cider songs and processions.
A topical song, sung in New York, we remember, ran after this order:
"Oh! if this State should go for Tip, Oh! what would Matty do? He'd rent his house in Washington, For Tippecanoe and Tyler, too; And with them we'll beat little Van; Van is a used-up man. Van is a used-up man."
The result of all this effort was the discomfiture of the party in power. Mr. Van Buren received only 60 electoral votes, while Gen. Harrison had 234. We have hinted at some of the extravagancies of Van Buren's Administra- tion, and the refurnishing of the White House. It was said .by old chroniclers that "Gen. Jackson filled the palace with the vulgar fumes of smoke from an old long pipe. Mr. Van Buren, at an expense of $7,000, cleaned the apartments, whitewashed the smoky ceilings and filled it with preciseness and cold pedantry; that Gen.
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Harrison would change the vulgarity of the one and the pretensions of the other. He would make those gorgeous halls reverberate with merry peals of laughter, refined repartee, excruciating anecdotes and good cheer."
In 1836 Gen. Harrison was first nominated for the Presi- dency. There were three candidates of the old Federal party in the field, which resulted in their own defeat, and Martin Van Buren was elected. In 1840 the Federal party had merged into the Whig party. After a cam- paign of most intense excitement, the long processions ceased their marching, the mottoed banners were laid aside, the log cabins had served their purpose, and the old Chieftain of North Bend was elected President and John Tyler Vice-President
INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT HARRISON.
Gen. Harrison arrived in Washington in February, and was received with great enthusiasm. The morning of the 4th of March was ushered in by a salute of 26 guns. As on all Inaugural occasions, the city was filled with strang- ers.
The procession that accompanied Gen. Harrison to the Capitol was a counterpart of many that had been seen throughout the campaign. The General was mounted on a white charger, escorted by officers and soldiers who 'had fought under his command. Log cabins and canoes were once more brought into requisition and distributed along the line. The pageant was very imposing; the waving of handkerchiefs and the huzzas of the multitude gave tokens of a kindly welcome to the old hero.
He entered upon the duties of his high office with as bright anticipations, as honest purposes and with as much of the confidence of the American people as any man who had occupied the position since Washington. But, almost before the glad tidings of the Inauguration had reached the hamlets and log cabins of his supporters, the President had contracted a cold, followed by pneumonia, from which he rapidly sank until, on April 4, just one month from the Inaugural Day, he breathed his last.
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This great National calamity fell upon the people with startling suddenness. The last words of the President were: "I wish you to understand and remember the prin- ciples that govern me, and carry them out. I ask no more."
The wife of President Harrison, nee Annie Symmes, was born in New Jersey, near Morristown, in the year of American Independence. Her father, Hon. John B. Symmes, was a Colonel in the Continental Army. Her mother died soon after her birth. Her father had the care of her until she was four years of age; he then disguised himself in a British officer's uniform and took her to Rhode Island to her grandmother. He did not see her again until after the evacuation of New York, in 1783. She was educated at Mrs. Isabella Graham's school in New York. At the age of 19 she bade adieu to her grand- parents and moved to Ohio in 1794. Her father was Associate Judge of the Supreme Court of the Northwest- ern Territory, and was much from home, holding court.
During her father's absence Annie would spend a part of her time with her older sister, who was living in Lex- ington, Ky. It was on one of these visits that she first met Capt. Harrison, of the United States Army, then in command of Fort Washington, where the City of Cin- cinnati now stands. In less than a year they were mar- ried, little dreaming that he would become the most popu- lar General of his time, and, still less, that he would some ' day be President of the United States.
We read of Mrs. Harrison that she was very handsome, with a face bright and full of animation. A friend, who was a schoolmate, writes to her in 1840: "I suppose that I should not recognize anything of your present counte- nance, for your early days have made such an impression on my mind, that I cannot realize any countenance for you but that of your youth, with which Nature had been so profusely liberal."
Gen. Harrison's duties requiring his frequent absence from home, left Mrs. Harrison in care of a large family. There were no schools in that newly-settled country, and she always employed a private tutor. She often opened
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her house to her neighbors' children, for she dispensed a generous hospitality.
She was called to go through many trials that tested her character and chastened her heart. One after another her children were taken from her. She lost four sons and three daughters, all of them settled in life. It was while passing through these trials that she wrote to her pastor: "And now what shall I say to these things: 'Be still and know that I am God?' You will not fail to pray for me and my dear sons and daughters who are left, for I have no wish for them-my children and grandchildren-than to see them the humble followers of the Lord Jesus."
Her health, delicate for years, was even more precarious the Spring her husband made his journey to Washington. Her friends urged her to remain in Ohio until settled weather. While busy in her preparations to join him, the news came to her of his death.
Had he lived, Mrs. Harrison, much as it was against her taste, would have discharged all the duties incumbent upon her with delicacy, courtesy, and self-possession, for she was "to the manner born," and she was one of the sturdy women of the times, who did not look back when duty called.
Mrs. Harrison lived to be nearly 90 years old. Many of her grandsons were officers and soldiers in the Union army. She was always rich in blessings for these boys, and they asked for her prayers not in vain. To one she said: "Oh, no, my son; go! Your country needs your service; I do not. Go and discharge your duty faithfully and fearlessly. I feel that my prayes in your behalf will be heard, and that you will return in safety."
The grandson did return to his grandmother after several hard-fought battles.
On the evening of the 25th of February, 1864, she died, and was buried beside her husband at North Bend, and there, after life's fitful dream has passed, they together sleep on the banks of the beautiful Ohio.
CHAPTER IX.
JOHN TYLER IN THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE.
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 OP 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.
As the legitimate successor, John Tyler was sworn in as President immediately after the death of Harrison. But he was of a very different mind. The succession and its golden allurements completely absorbed him.
The unbiased reader of events must own that however men differ in their version of this Administration, Presi- dent Tyler accepted the platform and policy of the Whig Party, when he allowed his name to be second on the ticket; and no man, great or small, has ever yet been the representative of a party, and gone in exact contra- diction to his instructions, without being consigned to a political death.
Mr. Tyler now stepped for the third time into a place of high public trust by reason of the death of the incum- bent. He was made Governor of Virginia by the death of the Executive; he was made a Senator by the death
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JOHN TYLER LY THE PRESIDENT'S HOUES.
of a Senator-elect, and death made him President of the United States.
Accidents, sometimes in a mysterious fashion, carry men to lofty pinnacles of fortune; the breeze gets hold of them and carries them up to high places. If is the unexpected that happens, and without irreverence we call it accident. Wealth, honor, place, distinction, the highest places of earth, are as a rule won by the noble- ness of effort.
But whatever actuated and governed the President's public life, it was largely atoned for in his domestic re- lations. Mrs. Robert Tyler and Miss Tyler accom- panied the President to the White House. The Presi- dent's wife was in very delicate health, and did not arrive in Washington until the weather became settled.
Mrs. Robert Tyler is described as a very beautiful woman, elegant and accomplished, and admirably fitted to fill the high station of Lady of the White House, which the President had invited her to accept. Mrs. Tyler from childhood had been surrounded by the very best society in New York. She met Mr. Robert Tyler in Richmond, and within a year was married. She was a ready letter writer, and her correspondence gives a graphic description of her life in the White House. She writes in 1841:
"What wonderful changes take place, my dearest M. Here am I, nee Priscilla Cooper, actually living, and what is more, presiding, in the White House. I look at myself like the little old woman, and exclaim: 'Can this be I?' I have not had one moment to myself since my arrival, and the most extraordinary thing is, I feel as if I had been used to living here always. I receive the Cabinet Ministers, the Diplomatic Corps, the heads of the Army and Navy, etc., with a facility which as- tonishes me. 'Some achieve greatness, and some are born to it.' I occupy poor Gen. Harrison's room. I have no superstitious feeling on the subject, and it is as pleasant as possible; the nice, comfortable bedroom, with its handsome furniture and curtains, its luxuriant
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armchairs, and all its belongings I enjoy, I believe, more than anything else in the establishment. The greatest trouble I anticipate is in paying visits; there was a doubt at first whether I must visit in person or send cards.
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"I asked Mrs. Madison's advice upon the subject, and she says return all my visits, by all means. So three days in a week I am to spend three hours a day in driv- ing from one street to another, in this city of 'Magnificent Distances.' The victim of this sacrifice is to be attired in a white chip bonnet, trimmed with moss-rose buds, from Lawson's in New York.
"I could spend my time here charmingly, were it not for the duties of my situation. I see so many great men, and so constantly, that I can not appreciate the blessing. I know you will think I ought to give you my impression of these intellectual giants, instead of talking of dresses, bonnets, etc. The fact is when you meet them in every- day life you forget that they are great men at all, and just find them the most charming companions in the world, talking the most delightful nonsense, especially Mr Webster, who entertains me with the most charming gossip."
"WASHINGTON, 1841.
"My first state dinner is over; oh! such a long one, our first dinner in the state dining-room. I was the only lady at table. What with the long table, the flowers, and bright and brilliant dresses and orders of 'Dips,'-not dip candles,-I felt dreadfully confused. Mr. Webster says I acquitted myself admirably. I tried to be as cheer- ful as possible, though I felt miserable all the time, as my baby was crying, and I received message after mes- sage to come to the nursery.
"I think father is a charming host. He received his guests with so much courtesy and simplicity of manner, and I do not think his power of conversation was sur- passed, or even equaled, by those around him.
"The British Minister, Mr. Fox, is frightful to behold; he has the reputation of great ability."
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JOHN TYLER IN THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE.
The levees at the President's House were alternated by the assemblies, which were held in the old theater situated on the corner of Eleventh and C streets, where a cheap theater now stands.
This theater was built in 1804, but was burned down and afterwards rebuilt by the elder Carusi in 1822, who constructed it and named it the City Assembly Rooms. At these rooms were gathered the fashionable and the gay of Washington society. These were the most bril- liant entertainments of the day.
Mrs. Robert Tyler, in 1842, gives in glowing colors the picture of one of these gatherings: 1
AN ASSEMBLY BALL.
"I went to the Assembly last night, matronizing five young ladies all dressed in rose color, all so lovely, too- Clementina Pleasonton and Belle Stevenson the prettiest of all. Belle has the most perfect figure and face I ever saw, and Miss Pleasonton has a style, je ne sais quoi, about her that makes her the most attractive of the two.
"The ball was a brilliant one, admirably lighted, and not crowded, the ladies all well dressed, and showing to advantage. I spent a delightful evening. As I de- clined dancing, I had the pleasure of talking to many grave Senators, and among the rest had a long con- versation with Mr. Southard." [Samuel J. Southard was Secretary of the Navy during John Q. Adams's Adminis- tration.] "As we stood at the end of the room, which is the old theater transformed into a ball-room, he said:
"'On the very spot where we stand I saw the best acting I ever witnessed. I came into the theater and took my seat by John Q. Adams. There were never two more delighted people. Mr. Adams said he had seen the same play abroad, in France and England, John Kemble and the great Talma in the cast, Kean, Cook, and Mac- ready, but he had never seen it so admirably acted as then. I entirely agreed with him in his admiration, though I was not so capable of judging by comparison as he.'
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"Mr. Southard here paused. Though my heart told me to whom he was alluding, I could not help asking him: 'What was the play and who was the actor?'
"'The play was "Macbeth," and the performer Mr. Cooper.'
"I could not restrain the tears that sprang to my eyes as I heard my dear father so enthusiastically spoken of. I looked around, and thought not only had papa's foot- steps trod these boards-I looked down at the velvet dress of Mrs. Tyler, and thought of the one I wore there, six years before, as Lady Randolph, when we struggled through a miserable engagement of a few rainy nights!"
Elizabeth, the third daughter of Letitia Tyler, was married in the East Room of the White House, Jan. 31, 1842, to Mr. William Waller, of Virginia. The wedding, which was at first intended to be a quiet affair, was hon- ored by the presence of many distinguished guests.
The night following the wedding a grand reception was given. It was said that one of the bridesmaids ex- pressed surprise to Mr. Daniel Webster at Lizzie Tyler's accepting a quiet Virginia home in exchange for all the honors of position in Washington.
"Ah!" said he, "love rules the court, the camp, the grove; for love is heaven, and heaven is love."
The President's wife was downstairs on the occasion of her daughter's marriage, for the first time after enter- ing the White House. It was during Tyler's Adminis- tration that music was introduced in the park south of the Mansion. Invitations by card to the President's House were considered as strictly private. The public press was not allowed to indulge in descriptions of per- sons present.
THE LAST LEVEE OF THE SEASON.
In going over the files of the Madisonian we find this modest description of a levec, which stands out as the lone star of society news of that day-the Alpha and Omega of all such indulgencies:
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JOHN TYLER IN THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE ..
The Madisonian, Washington, March 17, 1842.
"The levee held by the President on Tuesday last was a brilliant affair, and gave satisfactory evidence of the esteem in which the high functionary is held in social circles.
"Among the visitors of peculiar note were the authors of the 'Sketch Book' and 'Pickwick Papers.' In addi- tion to whom almost all the Ministers of foreign powers to our Government were in attendance in full court dress.
"The rooms were filled to overflowing with the talent and beauty of the metropolis; Senators and members of Congress without distinction of party served to give in- terest and add animation to the scene.
"It seems to us that these levees, as at present con- ducted, are peculiarly adapted to the genius of our Re- publican institutions, inasmuch as all who please may attend without infringement of etiquet. We almost re- gret their termination for the season, but look forward with pleasure to the period when they will be renewed."
Charles Dickens, in his "American Notes," tells us of this levee, and also of his call upon President Tyler. His just and unjust criticisms, which he lived to regret, are pictured in all the inelegance of which he was capable: "My first visit to this house was on the morning after my arrival, when I was carried thither by an official gentleman who was so kind as to charge himself with my presentation to the President. We entered a very large hall, and having twice or thrice rung a bell which nobody answered, walked without further ceremony through the rooms on the ground floor, as divers other gentlemen, mostly with their hats on and their hands in their pockets, were doing very leisurely.
"Some of these had ladies with them, to whom they were showing the premises; others were lounging on the chairs and sofas, others in a perfect state of exhaustion, and from listlessness were yawning drearily.
"The greater portion of this assemblage were rather asserting their supremacy than doing anything else, as they had no particular business there that any one knew of.
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"A few were closely eyeing the movables as if to make quite sure that the President, who was far from popular, had not made way with any of the furniture, or sold the pictures for his private benefit.
"After glancing at these loungers who were scattered over a pretty drawing-room opening upon a terrace which commanded a beautiful prospect of the river and the ad- jacent country, and who were sauntering to and fro about a larger stateroom called the Eastern drawing-room, we went up stairs into another chamber, where were certain visitors waiting for audience. At sight of my conductor, a black, in plain clothes and yellow slippers, who was gliding noiselessly about and whispering messages in the ears of the more impatient, made a sign of recognition and glided off to announce him.
"We had previously looked into another chamber filled with a great bare wooden desk, or counter, whereon lay files of newspapers, to which sundry gentlemen were re- ferring.
. "But there was no such means as beguiling the time in this apartment, which was as unpromising and tiresome as any waiting-room in any of our public establishments, or any physician's waiting-room during his hours of consultation at home.
DICKENS'S PICTURES.
"There were some 15 or 20 persons in the room. One, a tall, wiry, muscular old man from the West, sunburnt and swarthy, with a brown white hat on his knee and a giant umbrella resting between his legs, who sat bolt upright in his chair, frowning steadily at the carpet and twitching the hard lines about his mouth, as if he had made up his mind 'to fix' the President on what he had to say and wouldn't bate him a grain.
"Another, a Kentucky farmer, six feet in hight, with his hat on and his hands under his coat tails, who leaned against the wall and kicked the floor with his heel as though he had Time's head under his shoe and were literally 'killing' him. A third, an oval-faced, bilious-
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