The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-05-29
"Reminiscences of GcnernI Richard
TAYLOR.

Soon after the close Of our war, as here
latcs in his book, Taylor went up TO WASH
ington to endeavor to procure some amelio-
ration OF the cruel incarceration OF Presi-
dent Davis. who was bis brother-in-law and
his warm friend. It was bold thing to
DO; few OF us would risk ourselves in
Washington then. But President Johnson
soon became placable. Taylor's original
andpositive views impressed him favorably,
and pleasant relations sprang up between
them. One day he called on the President,
who said to him graveiy: " General, q gen.
tleman came to see me to-day to have you
arrested" go, Dir. President. why does
he wish you to do that?" "He says you
tried to hang him in Louisiana for being q
Union man during the war; "Mr. Pfesi-
dent, he has lied to you, sir" "Why,
General, did you not hang Union men in
Louisiana "Oh, yes; hanged many
Union men in Louisiana who were
spies and traitors to our cause and
in our army but I never tried
to hang one that did not do it, and so your
complainant must have lied to you!" Soon
after this President johnson released Mr.
Davis from the casemate in Fortress Mon
roe, and gave General Taylor q pass TO visit
him. BEING in England several years ago,
as Presidents son he was the guest CT the
Prince Of Wales at Sandringham. And no
American who has ever been. in England
received more marked personal courtesy
from the English nobility than he; his
military prestige rs a successful Confede-
rate coDmander, added to the claims oi
his birth, and both were enhanced by his
audacious wit, which feared not "King nor
Kaiscr,", all making him the most notable
guest OF London that year. Being invited
to lunch Of the Fishmon@ers' Company,
he there heard some sharp criticisms OF
Virginia because OF her slowrcss in paying
her debt. Taylor was By descent entirely
Il VirGinian, and was very proud OF bis an
ceStry, and he promptly arose to rtpcl these
impuialions, and his remarks, full OF
strong sense aud justice, so Impressed
the audience that after tie banquet was
over he was waited upon with request TO
meet and confer with Il committee OF the
principal holders OF Virginia bonds in Lon
don as to the best plan OF compromise OF
their claims. and finally was empowered to
submit to the government OF Virginia
proposition from the holders Of 100000 900
OF the Virginia bonds, not very different
from that recently accepted by That State.
Had his couuseis prevailed, much trou-
bic and scandal to Virginia would have
been ayertcd. He LETT Richmond cha
grned and respondent as to the re-
suit Of the efforts OF those who were in
favor OF maintaining the credit oi the State.
1t is related OF him that during the Derby
races the Prince of Wales took him to his
own (thc Prince's) stand, and as they were
ascending the stair the Duke OF Edinburgh
came hastily up and said so, Wales, do
you know Forester is booked to win ?"
"Oh, yes" said the Prince; "the General
and have just been 10 the bctting-Stand
and laid fifty guineas each on him.
Turning 70 Taylor, the Duke said.
"Now, won't you please go TO the stand
and lay fifty guincas for me on him 2"
g Pardon me, your Highness," said Tay-
10y; " the stand is quite rs near to you as
to me-" 81 am so glad you told Edin-
burgh that" said the Prince. "What q
deal Of cheek be has 10 be asking my guests
to Iay his bets for him - Taylor had Il
sincere respect and liking for the Prince,
and hearty contempt for the Duke OF
Edinburgh, whom he snubbed Oh more
than one occasion. Apart from the per-
sonal character of the Duke, he was only
second sou of Z Queen, while Taylor was
the only son of real President OF the United
Statcs.-Appletoa's Magazine.