Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-09-24
General Grants Reception.


REMARKABLE OVATION
From various telegraphic dispatches we con-
dense the following account Of the magnificent re-
ception accorded 10 General Grant on the occasion
OF his arrival at San Francisco on Saturday last:
The government steamer Mcpherson came along
side and Major-General Mcdowell, commanding
the division Of the Pacific, accompanied by his
stan, boarded the Toxic, and rejoined his old
comrade In arms. The general committee OF ar
rangements with several thousand invited guests
assembled on the Pacific mail steamer China, and
number Of smaller steamers, while tugs took the
squadrons Of San Francisco and Pacific yacht
clubs In tow and started down the channel toward
the City Of Toxic. Men, women and children
sought positions from which views Of the naval
pageant could be obtained Every emnence com
manding the channel was black with assembl d
thousands, and the sea wall at the north point
and every pier head was covered with spectators
From every flag staff in the city flags were flying,
and the shipping along the city front was bril-
liantly decled with ensigns, festooned flags and
streamers. The impatient crowds that covered
the hill tops stood with straining eyes to catch
the first glimpse of the Toxic. At half-past five
puff Of white smoke arose from the seward
front of the earthworks back Of and above Fort
Point and the booming of heavy gun announced
the steamer near at hand Another and another
boom followed in rapid succession Fort Point
next joined in the cannonade aud the battery at
Lime Point added its thunders TO the voice OF well
come. In few moments the entrance to the
harbor was yelled in wreaths Of smoke, and ~ the
batteries of Angel Island, Black Point and Al
catross opened fire in succession, the whole
channel was soon shrouded in clouds from their
rapid discharges. For some time the position of
the approaching ships could not be discerned but
shortly before six the City Of Toxic glided into
full view, surrounded by steamers and tugs gay
with flags and crowded with guests, while the
Yacht squadron brought up the rear, festooned
with brilliant bunting. Cheer after cheer burst
from the vast assembly az the vessel slowly
rounded Telegraph Hill, and the sound was taken
up by the crowd on the wharves and rolled around
the city 'front.' while hats and handkerchefs
waved in the air. The United States steamer
Monterey added the OF her guns to the gen.
eral welcome, and the screaming of hundreds of
steam whistles announced that the City of Toxic
had reached her anchorage. The crowds assem-
bled on the hills and along the city front now
18th common impulse began to pour along towards
the place where Grant was to land The side
walks were blocked with hurrying pedestrians
and the streets with carriages conveying the com
mittees. The steamers aud yachts made haste TO
land their passengers, and in few minutes the
vicinity of the landing was literally jammed with
people extending for blocks. A space was cleared
by the police and marshals In which hundreds of
carriages for the use of guests were crowded, and
outside that line line Of troops and civic organ
izations was ranged while outside, constantly in
creasing, surged and pressed an excited and en-
thusiastic crowd, cheering at intervals and waiting
impatiently for the first glimpse of the honored
guest. Within the gates OF the ferry house were
assembled the gentlemen charged with the duty
of the immediate reception to General Grant
The board of supervisors ranged the left Of the
gangway and Governor Irwin aud staff and the
executive committee, consisting of Governor-elect
Perkins and other prominent citizens occupied
the right, Mayor Bryant taking position about
half way down the center gangway General
Grant and party, with the reception committee.
General Med well and staff and others, were
transferred to the steamer Oakland. Consider
able delay occurred, during which the crowd out
side cheered and shouted themselves hoarse, and
it seemed at times AS though, in their impotence,
they would break through the lines. Darkness
had fallen and it was twenty minutes past seven
when the lights of the Oakland were seen ap-
preaching the slip. She moved slowly into posi-
ton, the platform was lowered the band struck
up Home Again." and amid roars of applause
from the crowd outside General Grant stepped
ashore.
After brief and informal congratulations the
mayor delivered an address of welcome, alluding
with pride to the honors received by General