The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-03-22
THE DAILY DISPATCH
Tuesday Morning, March 22, 1888.
SWEARING In THE VICE PRESIDENT.

. WEAhiNG In HE VIE FhEotl'ENA
1t has been stated in the Havana intelli
gence that Vice President King declined to
take his oath of Office in Cuba, because of the
probability that he could never reach home,
and if he did it would be just as well to take
the oath in Washington when he came home.
BY the following extract of a private letter re j..
ceived in New Orleans, it appears that the
oath was taken by Mr.. King:
"For the first time in the history of the Re.
public has the man chosen by the people for
the second post of honor taken the oath of
Office in foreign land. William Rufus King
was, on the 4th inst, sworn in as Vice Presi-
dent of the United States, at the Cunbre, near
Maianzas.
"The day was q most beautiful one; the
clear blue sky Of the tropics over our head, the
emerald carpet of Cuba bensath our feet, and
the delicious sea breeze Of these latitudes
sprinkling its GOODNESS over all of us. Early
in the morning Consul Rodney, deputed by
Judge Sharkev to administer the oath, left
town on horseback for the Cumbre, accom-
panied by several American gentlemen.
pleasant ride OF three miles brought us TO the
estate where MIR. King was residing, called
La Can,bre. 1.-THE peak) from its situation on
the eliminating point of the hills that immed-
ately surround Matanzas. The view from
here is one Of tine most beautiful the eve ever
looked upon. Far as the vision could reach
in this clear blue expanse the beautiful valley
of the Yumuri extended with its winding river,
its varying fields Of green and gold. dotted here
and there with white sparkling buildings that
looked like pearls set upon emerald, and the
brown hills stretching far, far away in the dis
tance. No more lovely or more impressive
spot could have been found in the whole world
for the ceremony, and the solemn grandeur of
the act and of the scene shed its spirit over us.
"The oath was administered by Consul Rod
ney TO the Vice President, who was ready and
waiting our arrival. The volante was brought
up to the door, and MIR. King stepped into it,
in order to ride into MatanZas before the sun
should be too high to make it pleasant. The
whole cavalcade, consisting of some twelve
or fifteen American gentlemen, Immediately
mounting, and forming as an escort around the
carriage, accompanied the Vice President to
town.
"The CreoIes who had gathered on the lawn
round the house, uncovered, and many a
heartfelt Eaya cd. con Dies (God be with you'll
broke from their lips as they rode away. On
the road to town the natives, wherever We met
them. silently uncovered as we approached,
and as we passed sped after us the same uni
versal saluration. A few Spaniards, standing
ngloomy ire at the doors Of their shops view.
ed US in silence, or muttered sullen ajO as
the dust from our horses feet flew in their faces.
"Mr. King left Matanzas on the same day
for the estate of MIR. Chartain, in the partido Of
Limonar, about eighteen miles from here
His health is very poor, and no one accustom-
ed to see patients with pulmonary disease in
this climate, but knows he cannot survive very
long. He may live for months in this mild
climate, but he can never be better. The old
statesman views his coming fate with calm.
ness, as one who has fought the good fight,
and will lay hold of eternal life."