The New York herald., 1862-03-02
Prince Napoleon at washington.

from the Revue des pe9x nondes Of FeOruary.]
Our first reception az the White House by Mr..
Seward Secretary Of state who, dressed in q yellow
drill paleto and broad brimmed straw hat, resembled,
but only the first impression, some small welto-do
landed proprietor. Mr. Seward Is Of high intel
lect the persopicaton OF The republican party in Con-
gress His views have always made him The determined
opponent Of the slave majority in Congress. Thus in the
South he is burnt in elgy, which does him honor You
are aware tha, he had great chance OF the Presdency
when Mr.. Lincoln elected in very unexpected man
ner. However, the government has not suffered much
by il, this distinguished man maintains great pre-
ponderanee there and the slave faction style tic gov
ernmen the Seward party. you wish to form idea
of Mr. Sowards appearance, fancy the head Of Hector
BerloZ with delicate Roman profile combined with
indication Of great energy.
After waiting few minutes, q small door opens and
admits very tall man feet high, thn dressed in
complete suit Of black and holding in his large hairy
hands pair OF white gloves, which he has put on,
and which he put on; long nose, wide mouth,
small agreeable eyes hollow checks his beard the
American lshiona fashion which would make Jupiter
himself look vugar-a toupo Of long hair raised up on
his forehead and failing back like weeping willow,
Kind expression of c6untcAance, not devoid Of shrewd
nesssch is ''Hones' Abraham (iho nickname given
10 President Lincon).
You know his history. The grandson Of one Of the
first pioneers in Illinois, who was killed by the Indians;
the OF pioneer, and pioneer HIMSELF hc received
six months elementary instruction at school, COW
keeper rail splitter, bargeman for conveying timber
on the Mississippi, workman n railway and finally
day laborer on farm Springfield where he Instructed
himself sufficiently 20 enter clerk a warehouse
He then Joined the militia, where he elected captain,
and two years afterwards was returned member to
resigned his 10 live with his family but the popular
suffrage took him from his plough in 1859 oppose Mr.
Douglas who represented the feelings of the South He
made successful harangues all through Illinois, de-
fecicd has GdresdryS Mr.. Seward, with spirit Of con-
citation and modesty, Of which examples not in
the policy os the Jniol his votes favor OF
the of the West-the honest, wise, obscure Abra
ham He hoped by sacrificing his personality to obva.e
the rupture between South and North but that had
dec-eed.
asYou also know that Mr.. Lincoln's nomination was
hailed with enthusiasm by the working classes who saw
s. lite .l.t ..xrt.
moderation, q guarantee for labor and the laboring
classes. II give you all M. Lilcons claims public
respect, you will allow me smile al his whimsical
appearance. and at that pari OF kid gloves which
asonished at finding themselves in the hands OF rail-
splitter.
lie advanced in a. shy, awkward manner shook hands
with he Prince then with each Of and attempted
enter friendly conversation. Chow many days did
you take Europe' Is it TO the of Iucen Bona
parte that have the honor Of speaking? What do you
think OF America II Is very hot"
Evidently tina worthy man was most kindly disposed,
but the representative Of freedom had whatever in
his speech manners. He had no difficulty in express
ing himself hs gained his position by his speeches and
the Prince speaks English perfectly. should have pre-.
ferred seeing Jolly, blunt clustering farmer proud Of
his position pdTresa. He awkward that felt
quite disappointed. should have liked to conure up my
jolly farmer.
the Prince TO tho Capitol Mr.. Seward who accompanied
the Prince introduced to him the high funconares Of
the political machine the wheels or which continued TO
crsak in the person OF very NOISY orator This ndivdu.
al In yellow cotton pastOt, his hat firmly fixed hs
head-which does not ohend me, but which never
be picturesque until change style Of head dress
hurs out speech listened TO with the greatest SANG
froid or rather, not listened TO at ALL This Pero oDu
ohesne seems u mighty state Transportation but does
not disturb in the slightest degree the OCCUPATIONS
OF the other Senator's One s absorbed reading his news
papcr another is whiting small piece OF wood another
is asleep with his legs up In the air. The President ia
yawning. Every member speaks from his seatthero Is
no tribune.
This evening, dinner AT the Presidents. I meet with
various surprises. First an agreeable surprise find
myself seated next to Senator Sumner former travel
ling companion in Switzerland, and brother Of your
20 me sits General Mcclellan, OF energetic aud
intelligent cast OF countenanco OF simple, modest man.
ners 30 years Of age. lie is distinguished pupil OF the
military school at West Point During the Crnean war
he went there a tour Of military instruction But
why" whispers one man in my ear, ''does he take n
different view OF Affairs from every ono presentY And
auoher whispers into my other ear, Ihat Is future
First Consul Ia everything 70 be changedY" express
doubts the subject The rejoinder is +" lie has
fine game If he knows how to play IT,"