Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-09-07
the TRAVELLING STATESMAN.
ARRIVAL OF VIM. II. SEWARD In
SAN FRANCISCO.
Interview with Newspaper Re-
porter His Views on Mexico--The
Future OF Americas Southern
Neighbors-The object Of His Trip
10 China.

Ahc ODect VI 1hhs arp
to China.
~ = - - . . - y
From the San Francisco Chronicle. Aug. 26.l
This venerable and distinguished
statesman pays his second visit to the
Pacific coast very quietly and unosten-
tatiously, firmly declining all public
demonstration. In so high esteem is he
held by the people of California, that
strategy has been necessary to enable
him to arrive without being greeted with
series of popular ovations.
MR., SEWARD INTERVIEWED.
Last evening at eight clock re-
porter of the Chronicle called at the
residence of Hon. s. c. Hastings, corner
of Washington and Taylor streets with
whom Hon. VIM H. Seward is guest
during his stay in this city,, and sending
in his card was ushered into hand
somely furnished parlor. Judge Hast
ings responded to the card, and after a
cordial greeting invited him into the
library, in which were seated Mr.. Seward
and Hon. J r. Hardenburgh, who, with
Judge Hastings, had evidently been en-
joying quiet chat, free from the
restraint imposed by the presence of the
fair sex, on matters political. .rrrr,
4--a THE LIBRARY A-l ,ilt "
is embraced in two rooms, connected by
folding doors, and contains several cases
filled with a large number of law and
miscellaneous works. 1t is furnished
with view to solid bachelor comfort,
and strongly suggests the American pc
culiarity oftipping ones chair back, and
elevating his heels to level with his
head. The walls are adorned with a
number of choice engravings. naJrt
MR.. sEwARD's s APPEARANCE
is quite unpretending. He is small in
stature, weighing perhaps ll5 or l2O
pounds. He wears no beard or mus
tache, is not bald-headed, although his
remaining hair is very thin, and is white
and silken. A careless observer might
not detect in his quiet face any index of
the force of character with which he has
shown himself 80 remarkably gifted, but
student Of physiognomy could not fail
to detect at once the indices of great
moral and intellectual power; intellect
of great grasp and quickness of percep-
ton, and of that clear-headedness and
far-reaching foresight which has charac-
terized William H. Seward during long
and brilliant career. He does not show
the least sign Of ostentatious self-asser-
ton; no action or gesture which might
be construed into 81 am William H. Sew
ard, the American statesman" On the
contrary, the ex-Secretary appears to
avoid observation and to shrink from
prominence in anything. But once en-
gage Governor Seward in conversation
and the illusion vanishes Words rich
in thought flow from his lips in one un-
broken stream, and the study and obser-
vation of long lifetime are strikingly
manifest He was dressed in black
cloth coat and pants and white vest and
adheres to the old-fashioned standing
collar.
THE RECEPTION
extended by Mr.. Seward was exceedingly
cordial. Our reporter apologized for his
unreasonable visit so soon after the ar
rival of the great statesman and before
he had time to recover from the fatigues
incident to his journey, stating that he
had not hoped for the honor of an inter
view with Mr.. Seward himself, but the
eagerness with which the public craved
for news pertaining to so distinguished a
guest must plead his pardon.
Mr.. Seward-I shall be most happy,
sir, to give you any information in my
power. You are not trespassing on my
physical endurance, for have withstood
the fatigue of the journey remarkably
well and experienced no undue exhaus-
ton.
Interviewer am very happy in learn
ing that such is the case, for it warrants
the expectation that the remainder of
your journey will be accomplished with
much less inconvenience than is gener-
ally feared will attend it. Your stay in
the city will not be long2 ii
Mr.. Seward-I shall leave on the
steamer on the Ist of next month.
Interviewer-lt is generally supposed
that government vessel has been placed
at your disposal, and that you are to
visit China and Japan semi-oficially?
Mr. Seward-Such is not the case |
never have visited and never will visit
foreign lands in any other capacity than
that of plain American citizen. / am
travelling as any American would travel
to gain information; and have no au-
thority connected in the least with gov.
ernmental affairs. ! pay my own ex-
penses, and am going on the regular
steamer. My
OBJECT IN GOING
is two-fold--to gather information and to
benefit my health. For years / have
been thoroughly acquainted with the
characteristics and needs of the eastern
and interior portions of our own coun-
try. | have Travelled in all portions of
Europe; have been north nearly to the
North Pole, and south to the Torrid
Zone. | have always had an ardent de-
sire to 90 westward; but until the com
pletion Of the overland railway ! have
been plabls to DO so. Last year / had
long aud pleasant tour mapped out,
but ] only partially carried out ny in,
tentions. | visited California, which !
have long had very high admiration of.
Ny preo0nceiyed opinions we're more
than realized. went up TO Alaska; re-
turned 10 San Francisco. ] visited San
Diego, and went down 10 Mexico. ] in
tended returning again to San Francis
co, and going thence to China; but j
found the season was advancing, and
concluded it would be better and easier
to return home and take another start,
So am now here in pursuance of my
original intention, to visit the Orient.
THE PARTY
will consist Of Mr.. George S. Seward and
his wife, two daughters Of Mr.. hidgely,
and Alexander ". Randall, late Post |
mastag-General, and his wife. Mr. Geo;
S. Seward Is NJ aephew. He is Consul
to China, residcnt 4 SHANGHAI. He has
recently married on this coast, aEd is |
going with bis wife to reside in their
Oriental bone. He volunteers TO .ae-
company me as fsg rs Pekin, and to
show me the country. Mr.. hiaScly came
out from the East with us, but will re. |
turn Immediately. Governor Randall
and wife are to meet us here.
The TRIF.