New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-28
"REMINISCENCES or WEBSTER.
G.nm "a, Roston .LonrnnL

The Wings of New York and Boston. wishing to
show their appreciation OF Mr. Webster, contributed
a large SUN TO enable him TO purchase a suitable
residence at Washing tou and to live there during
The negotiation with Lord Ashburton IN good style.
He selected house facing the northeastern corner
of fayetts- square. which had been built 10y
Thomas swami who bad been engaged in mercan-
tile pursuits at Alexandra and ut Washington. and
whose son has been IN recent years Governor OF
MARYLAND and a Representative in Congress from
baltimore. Moving into this house. Mr.. Webster
lived becoming style. entertaining nearly all OF
the Senators and many OF tho Representatives. lilo
was not able however. to pay for the house. which
fell into the hands Of William w. Corcoran. the
resided there. although he has greatly enlarged and
Soon after Mr.. Webster had removed into his Few
house Messrs. Moses II. Grnnell. Richard NJ.
Blatchford and Simeon Draper. of New York. wero
one day his guests at dinner. "hio lingering at
table over the Isisns ana Madeira. Mr.. tirnnell
said have q great favor TO ask OF you. Dir. Web
stcr" 90 You can ask no favor which will not be
rromptly granted" tho reply. " Well, CON
tinurd MIR Grinnel "Mr. Washington Irving finds
it necessary to have access TO tho spanish archives
in completing his life of Columbul and will soon
leave for Spain. As tho Consulate at MaGrid IL
vacant Blatchford, Draper and myself. without Mr..
IrynQ's know ledge. have determined TO ask you to
oppoint him." Mr. Webster. after quito pause.
inquired: " Do understand you. Mr.. Grnnell. as
asking the appointment OF Washington Irving as
Consul at Madridr Mr.. Grnncll said that the,
had determined 10 make tho icqucst aud he hoped
that Mr.. Webster would grant II. MIR. Webster is-
tened atcntivcy then strai ghteung himself IN his
chair, snid, IN his deep bass voice. Why not Min
isttr Plenipotentiary TO Spain. srW This was
more than tho Now Workers had thought OF asking
for. and thoy did not say n word. Tho sitting at
table was prolonged Tor some little time but no
further allusion was made TO 1t. Tho next day tho
appointmcnt OF Mr.. Irving as EnyOy Extraordi-
nary and Minister Plcnipotentnry was announced.
Iio went to Spain and remained there AS Minister
for several years. $500
Henry Stephen Fox was the regularly accredited
British Minister. and sir Frederick Bruce was one
of a numerous stai who ATTENDED tho bankcr-dip-
Id Aahh q IL
lam Bingham, n distinguished Philadelphia mcr-
chant who was senator iIom Pennsylvania in
Congress in 1881 sol. Among tho distiD guishod
Frcnchmen who visited Philadelphia was tho Count
de lilly. IA talented young noblelnan who made
love to Miss bingham and persuaded her to slope
with him. Mr.. bingham. n very honest and W ell
meaning man. not very distinguished except for his
v ealth. was very much mortified at this rash step
of his daughter then only sixteen years of age.
Great indignation was expressed, and Captain
Barry, who commanded a packet-ship, gave tho
Count a oevere thrashing. IL was soon evident
that all he cared Tor was tue girls money. and hay
ing entered into negotiations 10y which he recei oil
81, 900 in cash and an annuity of $1,000 year
more he left Tor France and the marriage was de-
cared fraudulent. young English merchant
named Bariug subsequently visited Philadelphia
with letters to Mr.. bingham. aad forming an at
tachment for his daughter, married her and carried
the great banking house OF Barring ~ Brother, WIS
created n Baron with the title OF ord Ashburton.
and returned 10 this country when sixty. seven
wears Of aye as an Envoy xtiaOrdnary. charged
with the settlement CT certain disputed questions.
lilo brought his butler cook ana " ines aud dis
pensod munhcent hospitality Mt the Matthew st.
Clair Clark house. not far from the residence OF Sr
Webster which he leased drring his stay. Never
since then have Senator'S enjoyed such SUGGESTIONS OF
good dinners AZ those given by Lord AshbuftOn aud
Daniel Webster.
Alta dinner gwen by Mr. Webster, when Secre-
tary of State. to General Cass. on his return from
France, Mr.. Webster requested Mr.. f8geot. the
French Minister, TO take bs seat next the wife OF
the Spanish Minister " as you speak tho languages
she understands. French and Spanish which do
no5 speak" Before going in to dinner Mr. Pagcot
tary, aside and inquired "Am invited here to DO
insnlted Am invited rs Minister of France or
DOT r. Mr.. Fletcher Webster said ho did not under
stand the object of tho inquiry. While tho expla-
nation was being made dinner was announced and
Miss Cass was left without an escort. To relieve
Uttered his services. Just ut tins moment Mr.
Pageot offered himself as escort to Miss Cnss, and
Mr.. Barnard retired. Mr.. PageOt did not address
word to Miss Cass but made snappish replies to her
but iancieG he was ILL., On their return 10 the draw
ing room Mr.. Pageot made known mis- grets to Cen
eral Cass. who disregarded them as unworthy of
consideration. Not long afterward Mr.. Pageot gave
dinner. to which Mr.. Webster wau invited. No
notice was taken of him. then Secretary of state.
OF honor, and Dir. Webster seated himself among tho
most humble at tho table. This premediated Insult
was not noticed by the Secretary OF State but Mr..
and hrs Webster ceased TO visit Mr.. and Mrs.
Rt the table of Mr.. Bodisco tho Russian Minister
Mr. Pageot cndeavored TO appear dignihed, but Mr..
Webster careessly took hold oil q decanter, and
looking at the French Minister, said "A glass Of
wine with you. Mr.. Pagoot," md he had TO swallow
it,
Mr.. Tilden's Democratic Adrance has an ar.
ticle chow Wash BABY" Tha givrs aoma coior