Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-22
"reminiscences Of the Old Exchange
Which Has Just Been Closed.
THE PRINCE or wALEss VISIT.
His Party spent Several Days Here,
and Were Royalty Entertained at
This neutrality-suspicious. Lead
ess stopped There.

the future, as the ENchahse has DNN' "
the past.
But closed as are the doors OF the Elk
change 10 the entrance OF the pubic
there are memories which cluster aiouhu
Il that will never be forgotten as long as
there are people living who have fire.
ouented IT in ante-bellum days; and. In
deed. their children's minds VIII hold II IN
bappy remembrance IN consequence OF
the pleasant rectals which their fathers
have given them about the distinguished
men and fair women who have frequently
frod It's corridors in the days of its high
est popularity
When they read the charming stories
Of Charles Dickens. G. p. j. James. and
william NJ Thackeray their interest In
them will be enhanced by the knowledge
that all OF them had sojourned for a sea-
son at the Exchange, and had been enter
tanned and feted by the people Of Rich-
rnond in the most generous hospitao!e
manner They viii know when their at
tention is turned TO the politics OF the
past that Henry Clay and Daniel Web
st.r. the eloquent leaders Of the old WING
party. and John c. Calhoun, the equally
distinguished leader Of the old Democratic
party, had also been entertained there
HAS SHELTERED OUR LEADERS
From about 1871 down to the present
time IL has been the temporary abode oil
large numbers OF DISTINGUISHED Nireln'ohs
Two Virginia Presidents Of the United
States when in Richmond made it their
honle--General William Henry Harrison
and John TYLER, the latter having d!ed
there January IS. 1852. Representative
old-tin1s Virginia people from all sections
of the State. men the Ike OF many or
WHOM the world has never seen a more
courteous, klndly-disposed. intelligent
hospitable. generous, nOble-souled race OF
poople. have known IT'S halls and enter
fained each other IN its capaciouS rooms
and psrlors IN the days when true, unique
real old Nirginianism pTeYaiied-a thing
I am sorry to say, which IL fast passing
away, IL the unitarian, noney-iovlng ana
money getting spirit OF the present times
has no9 already absolutely destroyed it,
ana the like of which, ] am afraid, will
never more be seen on this Garth. The
people Of to-day, and Of the future, will
also remember that IN this old hosiery
there have assembled the heroes OF our
late civil war. and that there history has
been made. Jefferson Davis, Robert T.
Lee, Joseph Z. Johnston, Longstreet
Tftz Lee, and other officers and soldiers
of the Confederate army, many members
Of the Confederate Congress, members OF
the recession convention, and nearly all
OF the distinguished Virginia statesmen
and orators OF the last nifty years have
been its guests.
When eli this is thought Of the Exchange
and Ballard House will ever remain In
the memory OF Virglnians as a sort Of
beacon-light. 10 which their loving gaze
will be turned because OF its association
with scenes and circumstances in which
their fathers were deeply interested, and
With men and women whom they adj
mired and loved.
THE PRINCE OF WALES'S VISIT.
These reflections have been suggested to
my mind by the fact that the hotel has re-
Gently been closed, and throw them out
with the hope that my readers VIII peruse
them in IL = various ramiiicauons. l
could not help. when the past doomed up
before me. dropping an honest, unolddeh
tear over the fate of the old hotel. for
which j hope / may be pardoned. These
thoughts have also been suggested by the
request of a friend, that l would write for
the Dispatch an account OF tho visit 10
Richmond. about thirty-dve years ago, OF
a gentleman who occupied the most
distinguished position that man c0uld
hold on this earth. and they are not alto
gether inappropriate preliminary remarks
10 the introduction of my subject ] refer
to the visit OF the Prince Of Wales. III
1860 When Il became known in the United
States in that year. that Queen Victoria
intended TO send her son and heir-Gp-
parent to visit her Canadian possessions
the President of the United States ad-
dressed TO the Queen letter Of invita-
ton. as follows:
rr. L. 40 faofu Oraen VIZ fOria.
/ have learned from the public Jour
nails that the Prince Of Wales is about
20 visit your Majesty's North American
dominions Should II be the intention OF
his ROYAL Highuess TO extend his visit
20 the United states. need not say how
happy ] SHAH be 20 give him a cordlaI
welcome TO Washington. You may he
well assured that everywhere in this
country he viii be greeted by the Ameri-
can people IN such q manner as cannot
fan to prove gratifying 90 your Majesty.
In this they will manifest their deep
sense OF your domestic virtues as well as
their convictions of your merit as
wise, patriotic. and constitutional sove-
reign.
Yur Matesty's most obedient servant,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washington City, June 4. 1860.
REPLY OF TIE QUEEN.
buckingham Palace, June %. 1860.
My Good Friend: ] have been much
gratihed at the feelings which prompted
you to write to me. inviting the Prince
OF Wales 20 come 20 Washington. He in
tends to return from Canada through the
United States and 1t viii give him great
pleasure 10 have an opportunity OF tesu-
fying TO you in person that those feelings
are fully reciprOcated by him. lie viii
fh,,q he ahle az the same time to mark
the respect which he entertains for the
Chief Magistrate OF a great and friendly
State and kindred nation.
The Prince will drop all royal state on
leaving my dominions. and travel under
the name of Lord Renfrew-as he has
done when travelling on the Continent
OF Europe
The Prince Consort wishes TO be kindly
remembered TO you.
with the highest consideration and re-
spect, VICTORIA.
The Lord Renfrew and HIS party. having
remained I'm Canada some two or three
months started on their tour through
the United States. They visited Niagara,
Chicago, ST. Louis. Washington and then
came TO Richmond. Everywhere they
were received with the greatest cordialty
ana respect by the people OF the States.
ana the highest honors were bestowed
upon them, commensurate with the dig
nifty and station OF the representatives OF
Great Britain.
PREPARATIONS TO RECEIVE THE
PRINCE.
On October %, the Council Of the city
being In session. ID. J. Saunders, its
President. read the following letter:
Y To the President and Members OF the
Common Council:
On the Goth instant l was informed by
Mr. Moore that the Prince NJ Wolqs wouid