Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-06-22
A Friendly Note from EX-Prcsi-
dent Grant.

The following letter from ex-President to
George W. Childs of Philadelphia is one of Pc
culiar interest.
LONDON, England, June 10, 1877.
Ny Dear Mr.. ChitdS
After an unus ually stormy passage for any sea-
son of the year, aud continuous sea-sickness gen.
orally among the passengers after the second day
out, we reached Liverpool Monday afternoon, the
2Sth of May. Jessie and | proved to be among
the few good sailors. Neither Of us felt a mo-
ment's uneasiness during the voyage. had pro-
posed to leave Liverpool Immediately on arrival
and proceed to London, where | knew our Minis
ter had made arrangements for formal reception
and had accepted for me few invitations OF cour-
tesy but wha was my surprise to find nearly all
the shipping in port at Liverpool decorated with
flags of all nations and from the manmast OF each
the flag OF the MON was most conspicuous. The
docks were lined with as many of the population
as could find stauding room, and the streets to the
hotel where it was understood my party would
stop were packed. The demonstration was, to all
appearances, as hearty and enthusiastic as in Phil.
adelphia our departure. The Mayor was pres
ent, with his state carriage, to convey US to the
hotel and after that TO his beautiful cUuntry resi-
dence, some six miles out, where we were enter.
tanned at dinner with small party of gentlemen,
and remained over night. The following day a
large party was given at the Official residence of
the Mayor in that city, at which there were some
$50 of the distinguished citizens and officials of
the corporation present. Pressing invitations
were sent from most Of the cities in the kingdom
to have me visit them. | accepted for day at
Manchester, and stopped few moments at Leices.
ter and at one other place. The same hearty well
come was shown at each place, as you have no
doubt seen. The Press of the country has been
exceedingly kind and courteous So far have
not been permitted to travel in regular train,
much less in a common car. The Midland road
which penetraes great portion of the island, in d.
GLIDING Wales and Scotland, have extended to me
the courtesy of their road and Pullman car to
take me wherever | wish to 70 during the whole
of my stay in England. We arrived in London
Monday evening, the Both of May, when found
our Minister had accepted engagements for me
Up to the 9th of June, leaving but few spare
days in the interval.
On Saturday last we dined with the Duke Of
Wellington, and last night the formal reception at
Judge Pierrepont's was held. 1t was great sue
cess-most brilliant in the numbers, rank, and at
tire OF the audience, and WAS graced by the pres
ence OF every American in the city who had called
on the Minister, or left a card for me. | doubt
whether London has ever seen private house SO
deliberately or tastefully decorated as was our
American Minister'S last night. l am deeply in
debtcd to him Tor the pains he has taken to make
INV stay pleasant aud the attention extended to
our country. l appreciate the fact, and am proud
Of il, that the attentions | am receiving are in
tended more for our country than for me person
ally. love TO see our country honored and re
spected abroad, and | am proud to believe that it
is by most all nations, and by some even loved.
1t has always been my desire to see all jealousy
between England and the United States abated
and every sore healed. Together they are more
powerful for the spread Of commerce and civiza-
ton than all others combined. aud can do more to
remove causes of wars by creating mutual inter-
ess that would be so much endangered by war.
have written very hastily and good deal at
length, but trust tnis will not bore you. Had
written for publication should have taken more
pains. L. S. GRANT.