The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-31
GRANTS FRIEND.
LiHung Chang Visits Tomb
of Dead Warrior.
Over 5000 People Saw Him
Deposit Floral Tribute.
In the Evening Ii PartOok of Tea
With the Grant Family.
New York. Aug. s1.-Li Hung chang

New York, Aug. 31.-Li Hung Chang
received his old friend. Colonel Forester.
yesterday morning. and afterward a
delegation of Mott street merchants paid
their respects to the viceroy. In the
afternoon he visited Grants tomb, on
which he laid a wreath, winding up the
days work by a visit to the house OF
Colonel Fred ID. Grant, where he had tea
and remained an hour.
Colonel Fred ID. Grant escorted Ii
Hung Chang and his party to the tomb
OF General Grant. About 5000 people
were on hand to see the great Chinaman.
When the members of the party alight-
ed from the carriages Ii Hung Chang
retained his seat until the big red plush
chair was carried forward from one of
the rear carriages. The walk from the
driveway to the tomb is about SO yards,
but the august man does not walk when
outdoors in China, and IL was deemed
proper that he should be carried TO the
spot In his own chair. Four stalwart
policemen were selected as the bearers.
When the .viceroy was let down at the
door Of the tomb he got UP from his seat,
and preceded by Fred ID. Grant, Gen.
eral Horace Porter. and his interpreter,
entered the tomb. Ii Hung Chang stood
on the first step, just inside the gate.
The florists representatives. handed him
the wreath. which he took, and laid IL
against the metal casket which contains
Grant 8 remains.
The wreath was fastened to the end OF
the casket by the attendants, and then
followed moment OF profound silence.
The viceroy bent his head, and seemed
deeply impressed. He did not shed tears,
as on the occasion when he visited the
tomb OF General Gordon. Turning to
Colonel Grant. he said: II am pro-
foundly touched by this visit to the
grave OF one Of the greatest men / ever
Fnew. Is this the usual way of burying
men in America ?" he asked Being told
that such was not the case. he turned
and looked upon the splendid mausoleum
that is nearing its completion. How
much did 1t cost?" ,ie asked. General
Porter told him that ii was built by the
subscriptions OF 50 600 persons, who con-
tributed all the way from / penny to
$4,000. The American people are CRATE
full to your excellency," said General
Porter, for your generous subscription"
The viceroy bowed his head in acknowl-
cdgment OF the compliment. He was
among the original subscribers, and gave
$500 for the tomb.
When win 1t be finished?" he next
asked.
General Porter told him that the
dedication would take place on April :
next, which was General Grants birth
day. Ii Hung Chang turned his face
again TO the tomb, and remarked that
one of the things for which he had come
10 America was 20 lay a wreath on the
tSmb of General Grant.
The crowd that collected at Grants
tomb was the greatest that has been
seen at Claremont since the laying OF
the foundation stone Of the monument
some five years ago. II was an orderly,
well-dressed crowd that waited patient
ly for hours the arrival Of the viceroy
and his party. In the great crowd were
hundreds of Chinese, all in their most
gorgeous clothes There were China
men in silks and satins Celestials with
pigtails, and Amercanized Chinese wear
ing clothes of the latest cut all proud
apparently Of the honor which was be-
ing paid TO the greatest man of their
race.
When the vice regal party arrived at
Claremont. the people manifested their
appreciation by applaudlng him vigor-
ously. IL was the first time since he
made his appearance i'm public in this
country that he appeared 10 take an in
terest In the people surrounding him.
He looked from right TO left at the great
crowds, but did not make any acknowl-
edgment of the applause. The cheer
ing was renewed as the policemen car
RED him on the chair from the drive
way to the tomb. and there was more
applause when he emerged from the
tomb. AS the officers carried him back
TO the carriage, he surveyed the immense
throng on the Hill above him, and looked
again toward the crowd along the river
side on taking his seat in the carriage.
The wreath which Ii Hung Chang
placed on the tomb was garland of
bay leaves, white and nauve orchids. tied
with a yellow ribbon. Enother wreath
had been put there in the morning by
Mrs. u. S. Grant which consisted OF
white roses and galayX leaves Of North
Carolina.
A sergeant's guard OF United States
infantry from Governors island saluted
the viceroy by presenting arms as he
passed I'm his chair. Ii Hung Chang re-
mained at the tomb for - minutes.
The return drive was through Central
park to the hou8e OF Colonel f. ID. Grant.
where he called on Mrs. u. s. Grant, the
widow OF the man whose memory he had
just honored. There he was introduced
30 L. S. Grant. Mrs. Fred Grant,
General Powell Clayton, Warner Miller.
aud met also John w. Foster and wife
and ex-Ministers Thayer and Everett,
whom he knew.
lie entered into long talk with Mrs.
Grant through the Interpreter. lie had
met her In China when she was travel
Ing with her husband and ne seemed to
have a great many questions to ask. lie