The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-22
No A. :. J
Account Of Visit to George Peabody,

to be presented TO that distinguished gentleman
called upon him Saturday last, the residence Of
Samuel Wetmore, ESQ.,, No. Is Waveriey place and
was very cordially received The conversation at once
turned upon the remote section of country iii which
he resided, the difficulties attendant upon reach
ing it by the overland stage facilities and the rapid
progress made by the Union Pacific railroad. In thi
connection Mr.. Peabody expressed the hope that
his next visit to this country opportunity might be-
afforded him to visit the Pacific coast aud the gress
intermediate country by railway His remarks con-
cerning the construction of the road, of the noun
ains to be scaled and tunneled Of the various obsta
cles to be surmounted Of the amount of Government
aid bestowed Of the value Of the land granted of tile
probable traffic of the route and OF the immense ad
vantage which would to the country from its
completion rendered it apparent that be had carefully
considered the subject in all It's bearings. l subse-
quently handed Mr.. Peabody a copy Of the Newark
journal OF the ed inst containing tle admirable
tieie which placed him in nomination for President Of
the United States and called his attention to H. IL
smiled and remarked:
{" Mr.. Fuller not of course in earnest in this
suggestion"
replied knew the editor Of the Journal too we'll
TO doubt the fact Of his sincerity in every line which
he had written.
"Then," continued Mr.. Peabody, che cannot be
aware OF my age. Do not understand me TO intimate
that consider his allusion to my name dErespeotal
on the contrary, it is most kind and complimentary
Were but forty, and could be elected to the posi-
tio nv do pdi OuI rcOpie, SHp1t
like 1t. But | am seventytwo years Of age, and nY
chief desire, so far as am personally concerned
preserve my heath The climate OF England adniira-
bly, agrees with me, and "Wednesday next sail for
England for three years absence. There can pass
me days in the open air without suffering from. ths
exposure. The rays of the sun do not penetrate mo
there as here. If cold weather comes | can reach
milder atmosphere in twentyfour hours shall pass
much of my time in salmon fishing. The exercise is
Just what require, and enioyi it. 1t gives expan,
sion to the lungs and freedom to the circulation.
On Wednesday Just one year will have elapsed since
arrived IN this country. All the plans connected.
with the object of my visit here were arranged in Ei
land before my departure, and have keen accomplished
with slight modification. The gift Of Sl40 900 to the
Essex Society was not contemplated, but will, am
satisfied, be productive Of much good. In all my
charities have been favored with the valuable adpca
and cooperation of Mr.. Robert C. Winthrop, Of Mas
sachusetts, whom highly honor and respect II the
choice of President OF the United States were left to
ME, that Office would fall upon Mr.. Winthrop. A gen
tleman BY education and instinct ripe SCHOLAR pos
sessng every satesrnanlke attribute with unb!en
ished reputation he would honor the position and my
would elevate themselves by the selection
TELL Mr. Fuller that the mention of my name in
connection with the Presidency is not original With
him. Ten years ago bright little lad, son Of ar.
Samuel Wetmore pinned my name upon Anefi-
can flag and marched around, announcing me as iis
candidate. lie is sixteen, aud one of the nobles:
youths Ihave ever seen. The other day introduced
him to President johnson, and asked that he be a},-
pointed to cadeshp at West Point Ny request was
instantly granted, and the JOY of the little fellow
complete"
Speaking Of his recent visit to Washington the 6.
nancia condition of the Government was incidentally
alluded to- He expressed the conviction that our
arge debt would prove barrier to our progress IT,
.he country could once more be united But with
dsunion practically continued, with lat
INT spirit of rebellion still existing the heavy burden
,f ha; Jr .;v
night be again renewed HIS dearest wish was tha.
lis country might 60 forward in the of prog
ess which every element, save that of internal dis
,ord, would be powerless to prevent, and that the
Government and nation should become, would be
he case if wise counsels prevailed the most powerful
lnder the sun. He expressed the most unboundea
confidence ic the wisdom and ability OF Secretary aa
Julloch whom he had learned to esteem as \ noble
nan and tar-seeing statesman. Depend upon 1T
aid Mr.. Peabody that Secretary will take no back
ward step The resumption of specie payment aud tls
eduction Of the public debt the objects Of his
rofoundest soicitude. He adequately conprehcads
he injury and confusion which would result from sud
len contraction, or an abrupt return to tAe specie
'ass ); but he will recommend no measure which tends
the other direction and will lose oPpor0aitY
aake point IN favor Of resumption
On my making allusen to his vast E0adon
hartes, Mr. Peabody informed of gratify.ng
atter Just received from Of the house OF Barring
'rothers of London, and afterHard favored witlf
IS perusal. 1t stated that meeting had been called
y the Lord Mayor OF London to take into consdera-
ion the subject Of erecting memorial IN honor OF
lr. Peabody, at which meeting the writer ap-
ointed committee to solicit subscriptions limited to
en- guneas each, for the erection Of statue Of the
istingushed American, and that he had secured one
undred names in single day. copy Of the suit
criton list was inclosed headed by his Royal High
ess the Prince of Wales, in whose behalf the ten
uneas rule had been waived the sum affixed to his
anne being twenty-five guineas. The writer further.
emarked that Mr.. Story the American sculptor, hai
cen suggested the artist to whom the work should
ntrusted, but that decision upon this and all ots-
etails would be postponed until Mr. Peabody's ar
val in London. beautiful and touching letter from
lie Empress Eugene, under date OF the 4th ultitno
as also kindly shown me, the body of the document
well as the signature, being in the handwriting
the Empress herself. In it she expressed her
'atifcation at his noble deeds of charity and the
ope that his ben4yoence would be Initiated by others
assessing the power to relieve the poor and suffering
be letter closed with the warmes expressions of
'rd for Mr. Peabody, both as al American and
lie whose, benevolent acts and purposes not ni-
I'd by natioHafor sectional boundaries. AS / arose
ter prolonged and TO me very instructive and
enorabe interview, Mr. Peabody detained me for
oment while he wrote lis name upon some photo-
uphs of himself and begged my acceptance Of them,
string at the time that should forward one to
u. While writing he remarked that bis hand tretn-
ed somewhat unusually during the day, and that he
CoDpilSileu all aL late G0ur 0f
e night, finding that he could handle the pen with
eater facility toward midnight. at parting be slooi.
cordially by the hand, earnestly inviting me to call
'on him on Tuesday, and On learning tba. contenl-
ated an early visit to Europe, gave his London
lress and desired me to visit him on my arrival
The belief in Mr.. Feabody's benevolence Of char
ter arising from bis nunfceut donations, is fully
stained by bis appearance and conversation; the
ost boundess charity not only for the suffarings,
also for the opinions and errors Of mankind seems
actuate his every thought and utterance. In nam
r dignifed, there yet higher qualities Of MUD
heart apparent in his nature than selfpossession
q intelligence. Reverence and tenderness are writ
in every lineament, and through these hallovsa
enues does this noble benetaetor OF his race arrive
the goal OF his conclusions
" WHAT WE'VE BoEGHr AND WHAT We PAID FOE II
ice the present Government was established, the
lited States have ACQUIRED the following territorf
the terms named:
l. The purchase Of Louisiana ami the Mississipp,
Hey, in 1903, from France, for sI5 900 600
2. The purchase of Florida, i'll 1919, from spaiu.
S3, 100000.
8. The annexation of Texas, in 1915.
4. The purchase of California, New Mexico and
alb, from Mexico, for sl5,ooo.ooo, in 1913.
5. The purchase Of Arizona, from Mexico for sia.-
0 600 in 1954 .