New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-23
a RUNOR or GRANTS DEATH.

NO FOUNDATION FOR THE REPORT
ORIGIN OF THE STORY AT wAsRINGToN-THE CI1Y
OF MEXICO RUMORED TO HAVE BEEN LOST
WITH GENERAL GRANT AND HIS PARTY
PROMPT EXPOSURE OF THE BAsELEssNESs OF
THE STORY.
Word was sent to the newspaper ffices yesterday
by the Associated Press that dispatch from
Washington stated that it was rumored there
that the steamship containing General Grant and
his party had been lost in the Gulf of Mexico. The
dispatch referred to was as follows:
WASHINGTON, March 22-There is rumOr afloat
here to-day that the steamer City of Mexico on
which General Grant IS passenger, has
been disabled; and another that she mas 9as
these rumors seem to be that the City OF Mexico Is
overdue, and that she has not yet been sighted by
pilots She was due at Galveston yesterday
Inquiry at the Executive Mansion and Signal
Office tails to confirm the rumor.
In answer to teegraphc inquiries sent to Calves
ton concerning the truth of the report the following
dispatch was received by the Associated Press:
GALVESTON, Tex. March 22.-The steamer with
General Grant on board is not due here until to-
day. A Norwegian bark is ashore of the port.
The following additional dispatch from Calves
ton was received about midnight:
| GALVESTON, Tex, March 22.-General Ord and
staff and the committee from San Antonio to invite
General Grant to visit that city arrived here last
night. Nothing has yet been seen OF the steamer
City of Mexico
General Grant left Vera Cruz the steamship
City of Mexico on Thursday, March IS. The YES
sci to touch at Tuxpan and TampicO and
then proceed directly to Galveston
The GaIreston Aelrs of Friday said
that she might be expected at that port on Sunday
the 21st. or Monday, the ODD. The City of Mexico.
which belongs to the Alexandra Line, runs regularly
to New-Orleans from Vera Cruz, and dOcs not
touch at Galveston. The arrangement by which
she went to Galveston was specially made for the
| accommodation of General Grant and his party.
Last year the same steamship made trip
from Vera Cruz to Galveston in bringing back
from Mexico the deputation of American merchants
who went to that country to promote business
relations with its people. The time
of that trip was about sixty hours,
but no stops were made then at Iuxpan and Tam
Dico
The report that General Grant had been
lost at sea was discredited promptly
| in this city that 1t caused very little
excitement. At the various hotels last evening the
matter was barely alluded to. The corridors
of the Fifth Avenue Hotel were thrOnged.
as usual, with spectators in mining and other
stocks. and with politicians representing all shades
| of political opinion. The rumor not believed
| bv any one, owing to the absence of any informa-
! ton of any disaster to the City OF Mex
| leo at tho points where such intelligence was
likely TO come. The effect of such disaster if 1t
had occurred, on the prospects of the remaining
candidates for the Republican nomination
was briefly referred to occasionally. and
then dismissed with the assertion that there was
no truth in the rumor and it was idle to discuss the
subject.
| General Grant and party were passengers on the
steamship City Of Alexandra, of the Alexandra
Line. on their trip from Havana to Vera Cruz
John Alexandra. of the owners OF
the line, WAS also passenger and he
| gave instructions to Commodore Deaken that
no pains or expense should be spared 10 make the
VOYAGE in every way comfortable. General and
! Mrs Grant were on deck almost every moment eX-
| cepting when at meals or asleep, and praised
! the elegant fittings OF the vessel ana
! spoke of the watchful attention paid to the pas
| saugers b. the company. General Grant many
times smoke of the superiority OF American to Eng
! li>h and other foreign vessels. aud re-
marked that during his entire tour
| around the world. he did not take passage
| on any other but an American vessel, when he
! could avoid il. Following out this princi-
pie he hoped 10 be able to =, re-
| leo in an American vessel. He wished
| however 10 return by way of Texas, aud make %
! prolonged Journey through the state: but unless
The Mes,rs. Alexandra permitted one OF Their yes
sells to stop at GALVESTON win nim' he Shou'n DC
| Obliged 10 take an English vessel.
He spoke tD John AleXandrc several times on the
subject with great interest. Mr. Alexandra said he
should not object grant the Generals request, but
! il would make a difference of about three days IN
| the length of the voyage, and as the company had
ths mail contract with the Mexican Government lt
would be necessary to get IT. permission to stop at
| Galveston. General Grant expressed Il hOpS that
! there would be 10 difficulty OH that point and 1t Is
| believed that Mr. AieXandre secured PERMISSION
! from the authorities.