The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-01-21
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
From me 81. louis G,ooe. Democrat.


From tie 81. Louis Globe. Democrat
a Retired Naval officer. The rejection
by the House of Representatives of
the Senate bill for the relief of the
officers and crew of the Tallapoosa,
for loss of their effects when the old craft
went to the bottom in 1884, recalls story
to my mind which, although not new, is,
! think worth repeating. During the
Chandler regime in the Navy the Talla-
poosa was used by the Secretary in max
ing trips along the Atlantic Coast, visiting
the nayy-yards and very often for pleas
urc excursions. The press OF the country
Chandler and his so-called "junketing
trips" on the Tallapoosa, which was
facetiously called the "'rallow Chandler"
Captain R commanded the ship. On
one occasion the Secretary and he were
engaged in discussion about naval
affairs, and more especially in regard to
the personnel of the Navy, when Mr..
Chandler asked: Captain, who is re.
gardcd as the best mathematician in the
Navy" "You are, Mr.. Secretary was
the reply "IIow sop asked the Sccre-
tary. "Did You not count in Florida for
Haycs2" said the Captain.
Lieutenant Marshall of Virginia: ~ am
in Washington TO consult with the medi-
cal authorities about my leg. How | got
| that lame leg may be worth relating. In
| the great cavalry fight at Brandy Station
| in 1868 / was shot through the calf of the
| left leg, and comrade was detailed to es-
cort me to my home in Fauquier County.
| One night while there we drank more
apple-iack than was good for us, and a
slight misunderstanding arose, which re-
suited in n challenge TO fight with pistols
| then and there. There was no one present
| but lis two, so we arranged the prelimi-
/ porino pt,sn1s1tr thntr haipar that that yyn
| should use our navy revolvers and take
our stand at each end of the parlor, and
that | should give the words, one, two,
| three, Mt which we should both fire. At
| the first shot | fell to the floor with u
bullet in my left ankle that shattered the
small bones, and it was question for
some little time whether | should not be
| compelled to undergo amputation of my
leg. The pain l experienced when shot
sobered me very quickly, but still suffer
| great Inconvenience from, the wound.
| S. C. Neale: II is not often that per-
son has to travel 5000 miles to accept an
| invitation to dinner. Yet such was the
case once i'm the history of our Govern
ment. In the days Of Van Buren, the
French Government took extraordinary
pains to be popular in Washington. This
was not q difficult task for the memory of
Lafayette had in no wise died away
among our representative citizens. This
was the time when heavy duties were
levied on foreign importations to raise
revenue to support the Government. The
French King had hoped to have the duties
made light ON silks and wines. II was
probably more than coincidence that at
this crisis the Prince de Joinville, son OF
the King, made visit to this country and
naturally came to Washington. The
President promptly invited the Prince TO
| dinner. For some insufficient reason the
invitation was respectfully declined
Very soon after the Prince returned tc
France. In the meantime the French
Government, informed of the Princes re-
tusal to dine at the White House, made
great stir. Here was an affront TO Q
ruling power which might well be con
strued into an international insult. The
French Prince was Immediately ordered
back to the United States for the avowet
purpose of accepting an invitation to din'
with the President. In the meantime Mr.
Van Buren's term had expired, Genera
Harrison had succeeded him and died
and Mr.. Tyler was President. The French
Minister met the Prince in New York anC
escorted him to Washington. The de
sired invitation came and was accepted
The inexorable laws of courtesy were thu!
appeased, and the gallant Frenchman
with Mrs. Tyler on his arm, was ushereC
into the State dining room. Immediately
afterward he returned to his ship, which
had been specially detailed to bring hin
| across the ocean TO take n single meal.