Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-08-18
WHAT A DRESS COAT DID.

In 1926, while at Washington, received
an invitation from Mr., Clay to dinner.
The day after, the porter of Gadsby's Ho-
tel, where was staying, said to me 81
hope you will accept Mr.. Clay's invitation,
sir" l said - How did you know | had
an invitation from Mr.. Clay?" "Oh, sir,
the letter came through the office, and we
all know MIR. Clay's handwriting" He
repeated his hope that 1 would go, and
added Gentlemen sometimes come to
Washington on business without bringing
their dress coats " them possibly you
may have forgotten yours if you did, you
would do me great favor by accepting
one that l havn't worn, and which would
fit you nicely" The porter, who was evil
IDENTIFY an observing and sagscious man,
had OWNED the truth. | NOT only had not
brought dress coat, but l did not possess
one to bring, and was really regreSting the
necessity Of declining the invitation for
that reason. But the porter urged his
offer with such kindness and delicscy
that I accepted both the coat and the in
vitation.
General jackson, in 1928, succeeded Mr..
Adams as President From that time IN
til 1910, during the administrations Of
jackson and Van Buren,, period of twelve
wears, / was not again in Washington. In
the lattes year, after the election of Cen
eral Harrison, l again visited the city, and
in passing through the Treasury Depart.
ment 1 encountered my old friend Brady,
the thoughtful porter whose coat | had
worn to Mr.. Clay's dinner, and with whom
i exchanged . very hearty greeting. He
informed me that he had received a clerk
ship In the department from General jack
son, but as the "spoils belonged to the VIC
tors he now expected to lose his place.
After parting with him l went to the Sec
rotary of the Treasury, Mr.. Ewing and
related to him the peculiar obligation un-
der which had formerly placed myself to
the friendly porter, adding, what l was
nuite sure he would find true, that he was
a very capable and faithful clerk. The
Secretary was amused at the nature of the
obligation / had incurred years before, and
.heerfully consented to retain my friend in
lis situation.
In lS43, while again at Washington, the
Ion. D. D. Barnard, our representative
rom Albany, invited me to dinner. His
mess consisted of the Hon. John Greig
{ Canandaigua, the Hon. Henry Van
RENSSELAER, of Odensburgh, and the Hon.
ared Ingersoll of Philadelphia very
elect and refined circle, all being gentle
aen Of high social position. When the
esert was about to be brought on, it be-
ag an exceedingly hot day, Mr.. Greig sug-
ested that we should move TO the veranda,
vhere we could enjoy the cool breeze from
he river. In going from the dining-room
the veranda, discovered in the person
ranging the table, my old friend Brady,
ne porter, with whom / cordially shook
ands. learned from the brief questions
put to him, that be was the host of that
touse, band that these members of Con-
Tess were his guests. As soon as he
etired, commenced relating the story of
he coat, which nay fastidious friend Mr.
}arnard attempted to interrupt, from a
ense Of horror that friend whom he had
IGNORED with an invitation to dinner
hould voluntarily confess that he had
worn a porteT's coat to dinner with the
Secretary Of State. Mr.. Ingsrsolrs sus.
capabilities seemed also to be disturbed
but Mr. Greig. one of natures noble
men, " and Mr.. Van Rensselaer,, an accom-
,lished son Of the old PATRON, and son.in-
Nv of the late John A. King, enjoyed the
tory immensely, and insisted upon having
srady called IN TO give his version of the
lcident. My old friend remained through
sveral administrations in the Treasury
department., and died years ago, exten.
.vely known and greatly respected among
he citizens of Washington Il From " Au,
biography OF Thurlow Weed.