The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-11-19

On Monday last, Col. Perrin and myself
made formal call upon President johnson,
at the ''sWhitc House." or Executive Man
sion. The cornerstone OF tho Executive
Mansion was laid the 18th Of October, 1892
1t is situated at the intersection of Penn
sylvania, New York, Connecticut and Yer
mont avenues. Tho building being some
seventy years old is not what might be term
ed an elegant mansion, and the grounds
have very much tho appearance OF those OF
awcll-to-do country gentleman. On the
opposite side OF Pennsylvania avenue, is
Lafayette Square, in the centre OF which
is Mr.. Mills colossal equestrian statue of
General Jackson, which cost the Govern
ment $4,000. In the grounds Immediate
ly in front Of the mansion, is a bronco
statue of Thomas Jefferson, which was
presented to the Government by Captain
Levy, United States Navy, the present
owner of Monticello, tho former abode OF
Mr.. Jefferson. After waiting some three
sent in our cards as soon as we arrived, we
were ushered into the presence of His
Excenency the President IF the United
States; and am gratifed to sag, that we
met with most cordial reception. The
crowd OF persons, both male and female,
daily awaiting an audience with Mr. John
son, is truly astonishing. am told that
many are compelled to appear here and
wait hour after hour, and day after day,
before the President can find moment to
snatch from the pressing affairs OF State,
to listen to their personal applications
The bearing Of Mr.. Johnson is that cordial
dignity which bespeaks the land Of his
nativity; and in his personal appearance,
he reminds me OF our much lamented Col.
R. II. Goodwin, President of the Branch
Bank at Columbia, s. C. In his conversa-
tlon, he Is firm, positive and direct, and
when leaving his presence, after an inter
view, one feels confidence in the integrity
of his purposes. the broad magnanimity
firm and patriotic will. He expressed
great qualification at meeting persons from
tho old chivalrous State OF South Carolina,
and spoke OF Gov. Perry in terms Of the
warmest friendship and confidence. Dur
ing our short interview, he freely expressed
his views in relation to the return OF South
Carolina to the Union, saying that "it is
worry important that the Legislature Of the
State should adopt the amendment to tho
Constitution Of the United States abolish
the opposite side Of the Executive Man
sion from the State Department, and IS
about the same character Of building.
I next visited the Department Of the In
terror, or "Patent Office" as it is better
known. This building is one Of the most
extensive in the metropolis and is alto
gethcr the most magnificent and interest
ing. The portion occupied by the Patent
Office and Museum Of tho National Insti-
tute ls, BY far, the most interesting; here
We find the invaluable relics Of Washing
ton, including his camp chest, tables,
the silver and crockery ware which he and
his estimabie lady used during their hap
py union; the identical suit Of clothes
worn by this great and good man on the
occasion OF resigning his commission to
Congress at Annapolis. Coming from a
unsuccessfully attempting to do what ho
and his compatriots successfully accom-
plished, these relics of this great man had
a most vivid, deep and absorbing interest
for me. On the same floor and near by, is
the original Declaration OF Independence,
relics Of Gen. Jackson, and numerous gifts
from foreign countries. But that which
instantly attracts the attention on reach
ing the landing at the head Of the stairs,
is Powers celebrated statue Of Washington,
in pure white marble, and said to be OF
exact life size. 1t belonged to the State of
Louisiana, and was at Baton Rouge at tho
commencement Of the war; how it got
here I do not know. The second floor Of
this building is entirely devoted to the
models OF patents; and the ingenuity, neat
ness of finish, and the immense number OF
these models of Yankee restlcssncss and in
domitablc enterprise, is perfectly astound-
ing. They number hundreds Of thou
sands.
One of the handsomest buildings in the
city is the post Office, South Of f street,
from the building of the interior. It's ar
chitecture is of pure Corinthian order and
is constructed of white marble 1t is stu
ated one-ha!i mile from the President
Square, ana is most beautiful building
Stepping into street car, the convenience
of which-to one compelled to pass fire.
quently between the distant buildings OF
the Departments-canno be over-esti-
mated, / soon found myself at the Capitol