The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-06-28

GRAND BEsTowAL OF THE FREEDOM OF
LONDON.

1
| LONDON.
LONDON, June 5.-Ex-President
Grant was presented with the freedom of
of the city of London at Guildhall to-day.
! About 800 ladies and gentlemen,
including several members of the
government, American consuls, mer-
chants and principal representatives
of trade and commerce of London, were
invited to meet the General. Suisse
quent to the civic ceremony the guests
began to arrive. About half past 2
steady stream of carriages poured into
Guildhall yard General Grant arrived
at l o'clock He was received at the
entrance by four aldermen and six
members Of the land committee, and
was by them conducted to the library
where he was received by the Lord
Mayor, and took seat ON the dias on
the left of His Worship, who occupied
the chair as president of a special court
of the common council, at which were
assembled most of the members of the
corporation; aldermen wearing their
scarlet robes, common councilmen their
mazarine gowns. A resolution of the
court was read by the town clerk to
General Grant, after an address by the
chamberlain extending the right hand
of fellowship as a citizen of London,
which was cordially grasped amidst re-
newed applause. General Grant re-
piled in suitable terms and then sub
scribed his name to the roll of honorary
freemen, which concluded the business
of the special court. Gen. Grant was
accompanied by Mrs. Grant and Minis
ter and Mrs. Pierrepont. Among the
gentlemen present were Sir Stafford
Northcote chancellor of exchequer and
many members of Parliament. The
gold casket containing the freedom of
the city has an diverse central PANEL
and view of the Capitol at Washing
ton, and on the right or left are mon
ogram and arms of the Lord Mayor.
On the revese side is view of the en-
trance to Guildhall and an appropriate
inscription. At the ends are two fig
ures also in gold, finely modelled and
chased, representing the city of London
and the United States bearing their
respective shields, the latter executed
in rich enamel At the corners are
double columns of laurel, wreathed
with corn and cotton, and on the cover
a cornucopia, mathematical of the fertil
ity and prosperity of the United States.
The rose, shamrock and thistle are
also introduced. The cover is surmount-
ed by the arms of the city of London.
The casket is supported by American
eagles, modelled and chased in gold, the
whole standing on velvet plush, decora-
ted with the stars and stripes. Grant
was conducted by the Lord Mayor
to Guildhall where an elegant dinner
had been provided. After the repast
the Lord Mayor proposed the health of
the Queen, which was drunk silently
with the music of God save the Queen"
Grants health was then proposed
amidst tremendous cheering The
Lord Mayor proposing the health of
Grant, said
81, as chief magistrate of the City of
London, and on the part of the corpo-
ration, offer you as hearty welcome as
the sincerity of language can convey.
Your presence here as the late Presi-
dent of the United States is especially
gratifying to all classes of the commu-
nifty, and we feel that, although this is
your first visit to England, it is not
stranger We greet, but true and hon.
ored friend. Twice occupying, as you
did, the exalted position of President of
the United States and therefore one of
the foremost representatives of that
country we confer an honor upon our
selves by honoring you. Let me ex-
press both the hope and belief that
when, you take your departure, you will
feel that many true friends of yours
personally, and also of your countrymen
have been left behind. / have the dis
tinguished honor to propose your health
MAY you long live to enjoy the best
health and unqualified happiness.
The healths of Pierpont and the
Lord Mayor, and toasts to the army