Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-06-27
An Hour with the President.

An Hour with the President.
A gentleman who lately had an in
terview with President Grant, writes
to the Ohio State Journal the following
description Of it:
WASHINGTON, May "a, 1872.
On entering the White House one is
struck with the cheapness of the build
ing and lack of decoration. Turning
to your left after passing the outer
door you are met by an usher with
Please step into the reception room
up-stairs-irst door to your right.
In the reception room you hand your
card to colored usher. who van shes.
In short time the President will see
Mr.. p is called from door at the
rear. and you are Immediately escorted
to the office of the President of the
United States-a room about forty
feet square, with walls and ceiling
frescoed in excellent taste on the left
side a fireplace with dark marble man.
tie, glass, a nicely mounted clock, etc.
In front of you, in the rear of the
room, two windows which overlooks
over the Potomac, showing the green
fields, sparkling water, and the distant
city of Alexandria, the damask cur
tains forming rich red border to a
beautiful scene. On your right, two
or three sofas and some comfortable
arm-chairs, trimmed in brown silk, a
map stand, etc. A table covered with
blue cloth. surrounded by eight chairs,
finished in brown leather, under n
chandelier in the centre of the room
furnishes the president and cabinet
with desk room. At the head of the
table medium sized man with full
beard, and dressed in black, using a
common pen and an ordinary glass
inkstand, with n much used blotter,
which rests on pile of plain cards.
and well worn lead pencil.
Good morning, sir, is the salutation
as You enter-spoken in good, round
Saxon-as the President OF the United
States rises and extends his hand. BE
seated. As there are three others in
the room, the proffered seat is taken
aud your casual waits his turn. The
first visitor walks to the table, takes 4
seat. to the right Of the President
i am from St. Louis, for some time
connected with tle-paper. an agri-
cultural paper, and for many years
identified with the agricultural inter
ests Of the State Of Missouri. Not
being advised as to the method, wrote
YOU some weeks ago asking an ap-
pointmcnt in the consular service, at
point where could gain some knowl-
ffas Ter hs s raG55antprh Saass 6 Ssh Ssh
ut the time Of writing
Yes; ! remember. You are Mr.. T..
Of st. Loris. referred them to Gov
ernor Fish and was much impressed
with them. You are recommended By
Mr., Mr., and NJ
Yes, Mr.. President. | would like
an appointment in Russia. or in the
Argentine. confederation. am used
to cattle and the breeding of them
The President then entered into a
conversation with him on cattle in
general, and showed thorough knowl-
edge on the subject, much to the sur
prise of the applicant, who finally
stated that he was a graduate Of Dart
mouth and not an office seeker bv pro-
! fcssion.
Are you acquainted with Governor
Fish, said the president. NO. (wril-
ing on card.) We'll, Tomorrow
being cabinet day. will speak to Gov
crnor Fish about your case. You can
see him in the mean time. have said
TO him on this card This will intro
duce Mr., who is an applicant for a
consulship,' &c. Take this to Cover
nor Fish, at the state department.
When shall l call again
Call tomorrow at ? l-2 o'clock after
| have seen Governor Fish. Good
morning And the Missourian bowed
himself out, and the president was
ready sor the next, who !camc forward
and took the seat just vacated.
He was a negro. His head looked
like an enlarged oven, and as knotty
as a red oak. He was dressed in the
shabby-genteel manner, with flaming
red nccktic. The president gave him
a long, searching look. and saw what
he was /; then settled himself back in
his chair for siege.
Mr.. President, | am native OF
Westminster, England, graduate o
Cambridge, an! Il bar.ister in the Eng
lish courts. also Il short hand reporter
! came to Halifax. and found but little
to do. Came to Boston. staid tw,
years i'll the practice, and found two
colored lawyers there who We're doing
the business. As l am not and coul'
not become citizen of the Unitei
States, was not popular. then com,
to Washington and obtained employ
ment as shorthand reporter with Mr.
Miller on the Globe. Then | worke,
for Mr.. Sumner, then for Mr.. Douglas.
who published paper in the interes
of the colored man, and now am on
OF work and destitute. l have hear'
sir, Of your kindness and charity L
the people of my race, and l come t
you to see if you could not sugges
something for me-
yes, / have the same interest il
your people that have in other citl
zens Of the United States. Have yoI
been to the Howard University. in
quired the President.
Yes, sir; but they did nothing TO
me-
Have you been to see Mr.. Colfax
: He takes great interest in your peo
ple.'
r Yes, SIR replied the eolored man
: but he can do nothing for me-
'WeI, what can do?'
You don't seem to understand me
, Mr.. President. l am on, of means
and you are said to be very charitable
Il am as charitable as can be- sal
, the President.
Yes. know you are, and the slight