Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-18
He Got Even with Gortschakofr.

Prom "reminiscences Of Ben: Psrlsv POore.
Andrew j. Curtin, who was the war
Governor of Pennsylvania, then United
States Minister to Russia, and then q
Representative in Congress, is delight
full talker, and has rich fund of personal
anecdotes. When he was minister TO
Russia, he expended about $4,000 year
more than his salary, for there is no place
in Europe where 1t is more important for
the Minister to keep up certain scale of
expenditure, in order to maintain good
social footing, than in that country, One
of the earlier incidents of Curtin's career
at st. Petersburg occurred at a dinner
where Gortschakof, the Chancellor Of the
Russian empire, sat opposite to him.
Mr.. Curtin was unknown to most Of the
guests. Gortschakof began talking to
him in q very abrupt, brusque fashion
about the Alabama Claims Commission
which had just been established. at will
never succeed, - said he. "YOu Americans
are always getting up some new thing.
The principle of 1t is opposed to every
tradition OF European diplomacy. Have
you read the English press upon this pro-
jectY' ''Yes," said tine Governor, shave
read what they have to say. But 1t is
barely possible that they are mistaken"
Gortschakotf did not drop the sub
ject. "Have you SEEM" said he,
''the speech Of Lord John Russell,
in which be denounces the commission as
a humbugw Curtin had been listening
with a very mild air TO all of this talk.
said, with great abruptness and dignity
ayes, have read his speech. / also re-
member his speech denouncing your plan
for suppressing the Polish instruction.
Your reply to him was 80 overwhelming
that it took away from him completely
the little sense that he ever had" At this
all OF the guests applauded, and Gortscha-
koff was quite content to drop the subject.
Gov. Curtin had rather trying time at
st. Petersburg when Secretary Fish was
bounding NJ. CateeaZy, the Russian Min
ieter at Washington, whose handsome
wife was admired by the men and hated
by the women. M. Catecazy was protege
OF Gortschakoff's and Gov. Curtin found
it difficult to maintain pleasant relations,
especially when the Duke Alexis was
suubbed at W ashington. But Gov. Cur
tins tact enabled him to conciliate the
Russians, and when he called upon the
Gear to bid him farewell, the Emperor eX-
pressed great regret. He asked him ii he
would not consent to remain longer. Mr..
Curtin replied that his health would
not permit and that his per-
sOnal interests demanded his return. The
Emperor in his anxiety to have him stay
offered him the use of one OF his palaces
in Livadia, in the southern part of Rus.
STA, during the winter. so that he could
escape the severe season in st. Peters
burg. DIR. Curtin insisted upon going,
however. When the Emperor saw that
his decision was not to be changed he
said, 81 desire 10 give you some testimo-
NAL of my friendship" fhe minister re-
piled that under the laws of this country
he could receive nothing. The Emperor
then said: 81 have portrait Of myself
painted by Bonnat. / bad intended it fol
the Empress. But l want to give it to you
to be the property Of yourself and your
family" ''If you give it TO me in my Off
cial capacity" said MIR. Curtin, sit will
have to go to the State department" The
Emperor said: II do not intend it for airy
department. Give me your home ad
| dress, and will send 1t to you after you
| have retired from official life" Some
months later the picture was brought Il
| New York in a Russian man-of-war, anC
\ it now occupies conspicuous position II
! Gov. Curtin's house at BellefOnte, Penn
sylvania. The autograph letter Of thu
| Emperor Alexander conveying the pOr
| trait to Mr.. Curtin as a mark OF hi
esteem and friendship, is exhibited
alongside Of the picture.