The Shasta courier., 1870-07-30
SHASTA COURIER.
A San Francisco School Teacher in WASH
ington--she Sees the Sights and Re-
ceives Distinguished Attention.

celves Distinguished Attention.
Since the San Francisco School Teachers
Excursion passed Chicago, going East, they
have not been heard from. But one, a brave
young lady, got as far as Washington, and
following are some extracts from one of her
private letters home.
WASHINGTON, July 2, 1870.
l returned from Boston on Tuesday morn
| ing, the 28th of June, and, finding Mr. R.
and sister, whose gnest was to be during
my stag in Washington, awaiting my return.
we left the same day for this city-arriving
here on Wednesday morning. My time be-
ing limited, we commenced our sightseeing
at once, and visited first the Howard Univer.
sity (colored). My introduction rs San
Francisco school teacher insured me most
hearty welcome, as, indeed, it did every
where. 1t was the open sesame of my visit,
and every attention was shown us by pro-
fessors and teachers. We then visited the
Medical College, where we also met with
very kind reception. In the afternoon we
went up to the Capitol, the largest and most
elegant building l ever saw. Honorables
Sargent and Axtell met US, and escorted US
to the Chamber of the House Of Representa-
rious members whose reputation has become
National We then visited the Senate Cham
Der, where Senators Cole. of California, and
Stewart and Nv-, of Nevada, took us in
charge, who paid US the compliment of tax
ing us upon the floor of Senate, and pointing
out the leading members of that body, of
whom we have heard and read so much -
They then gave us in charge Of Colonel
Pierce, who escorted us all through the build
ing-the beauty Of which | cannot describe
in letter-even up into the dome, whence
we bad view of Washington and its sur.
roundings, which was superb and always to
be remembered. We descended and went on
the Government grounds to listen to the
splendid playing of the Marine Band. We
visited the Capitol again in the evening, as
the Congress is holding night sessions now,
and examined the beautiful paintings, staturv
and frescoes again by gaslight and with re-
newed pleasure.
Thursday was devoted to visit to the
hume and grave cf Washington at Mount
Vernon, but | have time to describe them
now. On Friday, visited the Smithsonian
Institute, the Agricultural Department,
Washington Monument and Treasury build
ings. We were treated with marked respect
and courtesy at all these places. From the
Treasury to the White House is but IL step,
so we went there next The usher showed
US the East ROOM" the great reception
room, within whose walls have been assem-.
b ed the greatest men Of our own nation,
and many of the brightest intellects of Eu-
rope Here are held the Presidential levees
at which congregate the beautity, wit and
fashion of our country, but remember it
also as the room in which the remains OF the
laid in tot in that cd
month of April, 1865 We wished to see
other rooms OF course, but were told it was
not a Uisiting day, and if we wished to 90
through them we must obtain permission
from Gen Dent. To the General we went
accordingly | was introduced as usual as
a school teacher from San Francisco. in search
of information The General received us
very kindly, and said as | was a teacher, had
come a long distance to visit Washington,
and for the further reason that be knew my
father when he was in California some years
ago, he would take pleasure in showing US
through the house and grounds himsel. He
accordingly led us through the Green"
- Blue" and :" Red" rooms, and the mag
nifcent Banqueting Hail." explaining the
elegant works of art with which they were
adorned, and where there were presents, Civ
ing us the names of the donors. Then
through the hot houses, the Presidents pri-
vate garden and vineyard. Then to the
stables. where we were shown the horse Gen
eraI Grant, rode during the war, together
with his war worn and travel stained trap.
pings. and the Presidents carriage and
horses. Then into the billiard room, and
finally back to the Generals Office The
Cabinet was in session, and it was doubtful
if | could see General Grant, but my card
was sent up to him, and after waiting about
fifteen minutes | was presented to the Pres-
dant of the United States. General Grant is
quiet, but very pleasant, plain in appearance,
dress, and manners, and | felt at home with
him at once. bad a very pleasant inter-
view with him. When | rose to 60, | asked
his permission to take flower from bouquet
on his table, as a memento of my VISIT YES"
said the President, ''you may have the
whole bouquet if you Will accept 1t, and l
will give you my card. too. So ne sat down
and wrote his name at the bottom OF his pic
ture. and gave it TO me. That card is not
for sale. We then took our leave. carrying
with us an abundance of choice flowers which
the gardner had been directed to cut for US.
and the rememberance of an interview which
can never forget.
In the evening we rode out to the SOL
dier's Home" the Presidents country house.
It was a beautiful drive, and the Home" is
elegant and comfortable.
To-day Saturday it has rained. but we
have been through the Patent Office, and are
to go this evening, if it is pleasant, to
Promenade Concert at the White House, by
special invitation from General Dent.
Words fail to express the pleasure feel
at the kindness and cordiality Of my recep
tion in this city, and the manifest desire OF
everybody have met to make my visit both
instructive and agreeable. lnthis my bright
est hopes have bsen more than realized.