Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-08-18
THE GAZETTE.
TOONBS AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST IS.

TOOMBS AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
Washington letter to Cincinnati Commercial. |
The visit of Mr.. Toombs to the President
has naturally attracted much attention, and 10
conversation with some friends last evening we
were told how it happened. Mr.. Toombs was
on a visit to his intimate friend, Augustus
Perry, esq.,, a merchant of considerable proml-
nerce. The morning after the arrival OF his
guest, Mr.. Perry drove with him to see their
mutual friend, VIM. Corcoran, esq. In passing
the w bite House Perry loosely remarked:
'Toombs, you had better 90 in and see
Grant. ;,
"Oh, no; am not citizen of this country, "
retorted the fiery Southern General,
Nothing more was said, and they GROVE
around the beautiful Lafayette Square awe
with the chattering OF children and chlrplng OF
birds, and filled with the fragrance from the
hearts of a hundred blossoms, past it all to the
quaint, irregular pile of bricks forming the
picturesque home of Corcoran, the banker.
There they were cordially received, and spent
several hours 10 pleasant chat with the vener-
able host who can be the most agreeable aud
then again the curtest man in Washington. On
leaving, the driver, who wished to avoid the
cobble stones covering the roadway of IL, from
Eighteenth street to Vermont avenue, turned
his horses and again drove down the avenue.
AS they were nearing the Presidents, Toombs
said:
''Perry, if I were to go to foreign country
I'd surely, if practicable, pay my respects to the
potentate Of that country. a.,
"Wby not, then, 20 to see your PresldentT'
The order was given and the horses were
soon reined in front of the Executive mansion,
Alighting, they went in-up the long flight OF
steps and into the room, where SO much weary,
heart.wearying, soul-killing, patlent-waitlng IS
doue-where they found the usual crowd, some
on idle business, some on matters pertaining
to life and death. There was sad-taced wo-
man come here for the pardon of her SOD, con-
victed Of forgery and sent to the Albany pen1l-
tentiary-with her is the grandfather OF the
errinr man. who strives in every way known to
his rough nature to soothe the distressed moth
er. The cards of MIR. Perry and General Toombs
are taken in, but the fear expressed that his
Excelency could see no one until after o clock.
Scarcely moment had elapsed when the mes
senger returned and called:
'sThe President will see General Toombs and
Mr.. Perry"
On entering the room General Grant rose to
receive them, and General Toombs said:
II am not citizen Of this country, General
Grant, but being in town have called to pay
may respects to you as the ruler Of this ma
tion." :,
"Oh, never mind about that, Gen. Toombs, .
answered Grant, sit down. lam glad to see
you at last, for hunted very uusuccessfully at
ter you during the wal"
The interview lasted nearly two hours, and
was characterized by the greatest jolity imagi-
nable At one time the conversasien turned
on cotton, and General Toombs was amazed
to find that the President knew almost as
much on that subject as he did, Gen. Grant
has been uniformly kind to all Southern people
who have sought favors at his hands, and
among the people of that desirable country he
has many warm, staunch friends.