Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-19
VISITS OF ROYALTY.
How Howell Cobb Was Stuck for a Trip for
the Prince of Wales.

How Howell Cobb Was Stuck for a Trip TO,
the Prince of Wales.
A striking, difference, writes Frank G.
Carpenter to The DISPATCH, is seen be.
tween the treatment which the Comte de
Paris is receiving from the United States
Government and when he visited Washing.
ton just 30 years ago. There is of course 9
difference in the positions of the two men,
but both are of royal blood, and though the
Count comes as a private gentleman to the
United States, there was time when his
chances Of becoming the King of France
were decidedly good.
The Prince of Wales was the guest of the
President, and he stopped at the White
House. The Comte de Paris has been en-
tertained at the Arlington Hotel, and he
has not as yet seen the President. A diplo-
matte brea akiast was given to the Prince of
Wales. The Count received dinner from
his old friend, General Schofeld, but the
French Legation have as yet paid no atten-
tion to him. The Prince of Wales was
given a good feed and taken to Mt. Vernon
on the revenue cutter Harriet Lane, and
the Comte de Paris has had his trip to Mt.
Vernon on the naval steamer "Dispatch." /"
The expenses OF this trip OF the Prince of
Wales were paid by Howell Cobb, Secre-
tary OF the Treasury, out of bis own pocket,
and it now remains to be seen whether
Secretary Tracy will pay the expenses of
the Counts trip on the "Dispatch. Z"
Howell Cobb had no idea of paying for the
trip when he got up the excursion. He ex-
pected the bill to be footed blythe Depart
ment. and he invited the President, the
foreign legations and number of other dis
tinguished guests to takea sail with him
down the Potomac.
He did not say anything to President
Buchanan and when Buchanan found that
the revenue cutter was to be used he was
very angry. He sent for Jere Black and
when Black came in he said: 'Black, are
you going on this blanked frolic? 1 want
to know what you think of Cobb using the
public property for private uses?"
81 don't know" replied the Attorney
General. "Cobb has started the affair; has
sent his invitations to the Prince of Wales,
and he has the steamer already packed full
of provisions 1 don't see how he can back
out if he tries and propose to go along
with him and see how he comes out"
"Well, I won't &C" replied Buchanan.
"It will be blot on my administration, and
I am going to stop it."
Judge Black then said all the English
would laugh at him, Cobb would be humil-
lated, and it would be better for him to de-
fray the expenses himself than to stop IT.
Buchanan grasped at this solution of the
matter and said he would fix 1t in that way.
The excursion went off, and the President
and Miss Harriet Lane were a part of it.
At the first Cabinet meeting after the Prince
of w ales left Buchanan said to Cobb: "Mr.
Secretary, I want an itemized bill of that
Prince OF Wales trip down the river. I
want detailed account OF everything, down
to the smallest item.
He did not see the President until the
next Cabinet day. Now Buchanan fully
appreciated the value of the dollar. He
looked glum and asked Cobb TO remain
after the other members of the Cabinet had
gone. Then be said, "Well, Mr.. Secretary,
where is that bill?" Cobb assumed an inno-
cent air and answered. "What bill do you
mean. MIR. PRESIDENT"
"You know very well what bill I mean"
replied Buchanan sternly.
"Oh, that bill, )" said Cobb, 1--WE got it
somewhere about me, and he went through
pocket after pocket until he finally drew out
a long piece of crumpled paper which he
handed to the President. Mr.. Buchanan
took it and his face was study of disgust
as he read the items and the exorbitant
prices affixed TO them. His face grew
darker and darker as he went on until be
reached the end when he jumped to his feet
paid in full BY Howell Cobb"
"And who iu thunder should have paid it
but Howell Cobb?" broke in Cobb. looking
the picture of injured innocence. "Wasn't
it my frolic? Who but me could have paid
for it?''
"sure enough, sure enough" was all that
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