The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-05-13
THE PRESIDENT AND BABY MCKEE
CO to Sea with Some other People
of importance.
A Court of Inquiry Ordered In Pay
master Smiths Case.
The Disappearance of the Harriet
Lanes Log Book.

WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE Star has the
following: "The President don't seem to
care two cents whether I get my appoint
ment or not" was the remark of disguised
Missourian who called at the White House
this morning, and was informed that the
gentleman he desired to see had gone down
the river, and would not be back until Mon
day night. That was about as they all felt,
but most of them were too discreet to say so.
Ten o'clock was the hour set for the star
from the executive mansion. The President
and Mrs. Harrison were both ready on time
but they did not come out until two or three
minutes later. They stood and watched the
servants as they piled few bundles and a
couple OF valises under the carriage seats
The two nurses, one bearing in her arms the
Presidents idol, Benjamin Harrison Mckee.
and the other with the little autocrat's baby
sister, stepped into the vehicle first and then
followed Mrs. Harrison and the President.
Secretary Windows carriage was next, and
the keeper of the treasury keys stepped in
and followed his leader. The third convey
ance was that which belongs to the agricul-
tural department, and it contained Secretary
about half an hours time. As the Presi-
dents carriage rolled under the arched gate
way the three marine corporals who were on
duty thereat fell in line, looking as imposing
as possible, and formally saluted. The same
movements were repeated to Secretaries
Window and Rusk and the Star reporter re-
spectively, and then rapid time was made
down the gravelled slope and across that
portion of the yard which intervenes be-
tween the commandant's headquarters and
the wharf at which the United States steam
er Despatch WAS waiting to receive its preci-
Gus cargo There was much blowing of
whistles and footing of bugles when the
carriages were first seen from the vessel.
The sailors became imbued with a sudden
activity. and the officers prepared them
selves, to. look befittingly serious. Albert
door was precisely in line with the gangway,
and then Lieut.. Cowles, who is in command
of the Despach, stepped forward, and, after
lifting his cap, assisted Mrs. Harrison to
alight. The President followed, and when
he had concluded the operation of shaking
hands with the lieutenant, he turned to the
vehicle and lifted out little Benjamin.
just then Commandant Meade signalled a
waiting marine, and the President called to
his coachman. ALBERT" said he, they're
horses" Albert responded Sf with @Sis his Gus, e
tomary "Yes, sir" but the information did
not cause him to make any extra prepara-
tions. He had been waiting for that salute
for some time. The guns doomed ont their
deep, toned respect and the President
watched Albert and the horses. The latter
paved three or four times, the former was
unmoved All was ready, the lines were
cast off or hauled in, the boatswain's whistle
piped its shrillest, there was cry of 'heave
ho," the screw revolved, and at 1045 the
Despatch moved slowly down stream, while
the President bowed farewell, and shouted
his thanks in response to wish that he
might have an enjoyable trip. There seems
to be no definite route laid out for the voy-
age. The Despatch will not return until
Monday evening, and it is more than proba-
BILE that the trip from the bay will be north
ward for n short distance.