The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-12-23

statesman by his admiring friends. Here
ne resided while Secretary OF State, AM
many VI the brilliant entertainments OF
that day were gwen within its halls.
When MIR. Webster left the C-bInet, he
found he could not afford the expense OF
such an establishment. Mr.. Webster IS a
fair example Oh the fact that the gift OF 10
talents rarely made TO one person, and
his deficiency seemed TO be an utter want
OF financial ability; he was ever an i'm
pecunIous man. MIR. Corcoran made many
improvements TO the property after Mir.
Webster lived there.
At the outbreak of the war Mr.. Cor
coran'S sympdthieS Were with the South.
He did not wish to identify himself actively
with the cause, and therefore decided 10
go abroad, where he remained until the
long struggle was ended.
There have been many stories regarding
the attempt 10 confiscate the property by
the Government, but we believe the true
one to be this, coming from the lips OF Mr..
Corcoran's confidential agent, the yeher-
able and courtIy gentleman, Mr.. Hyde:
After Mr.. Corcoran had left the city, and
was still in New York, Mr. Hyde on Sun
day morning received orders to have the
house cleared by Tuesday, as it was TO be
occupied by the Government. He imme-
diateIy telegraphed Mir. Corcoran, whose
reply was that he had sometime before
rented the house to the French Minister
NJ. de Montholon.
This dispatch never reached the hands
OF Mr.. HYDE Monday he called upon the
proper officials and told them they could
take the house; he should not undertake
TO move, in one day, all those wonderful
WORKS Of art household gods etc: he
might Just as well leave them there. They
politely told him they had changed their
minds, and De Montholon took possession
la February, 1856, when Gen. Grant was
stationed in Washington as Commander
in-Chief of the Army, Nj. de Montholon,
who retained the house for the French
Legation, issued cards OF invitation for the
most magnificent ball that was ever given
at the Capital.
The ball was given by the order of Louis
Napoleon, in consequence OF which the
French ship then lying at Annapolis was
ordered here that her officers might at
tend the entertainment. The city was
filled with officers Of the United States
Army in full uniform, which added greatly
TO the brilliant appearance OF the affair.
The Marquise de Montholon wore a mag
nificent dress covered with ieweled fieur-
de lis, ordered from Paris for the occasion;
across her breast was the Order Of Napo-
leon and that OF the house Of De Monthoon.
There were two women present as brides,
whose names were conspicuous not only
at home but abroad. One was Mrs. Kate
Chase Sprague, whose remarkable beauty
was world renowned. She appeared in a
wearing in her dark auburn hair an an
tique tiara Of eneralds and diamonds.
The other bride was the wife OF Gen.
Williams, and was formerly Mrs. Stephen
a. Douglas. She wore her bridal costume
OF white silk with tulle oyerdress. and
strands OF pearls in her hair and about her
throat.
The dancing should have commenced ut
z O'Clock, but owing TO the crowd, O'Clock
in the morning saw Sir Frederic Bruce.
then Minister from the Court OF St. James
lead the cotiliion. ~
Gen. Grants partner was Miss Harris
who was i'm the box at the theater with
President Lincoln the night OF his assas-
sination. She afterward married Col. Rath-
bone, and met her tragic death at his
hands some years ago i'm Berlin
The dancing lasted until daylight; the
gentlemen did not even "go home with the
girls in the morning" A royal breakfast
was served for many OF the company after
which the gentlemen departed for their
several places of business, while several of
the ladies made their round Of calls at
morning receptions in ball dress.
After peace was declared Mr. Corcoran
returned from his wanderings in foreign
lands, since which time, up 10 his death
he resided in his beautiful home. living in
quiet way, spending the evening Of his
life IN dispensing benefactions with
princely hand.
He erected the Church of the Ascension.
a fine white marble structure one of the
handsomest in the city. He was bountiful
in private charities, many young bust
ness men can testify; but the gems of his
endowments are the Art Gallery and the
Louise Home.
The next house east Of Mr.. Corcoran's
was formerly owned by Mr.. Richie the
distinguished editor and Government
printer. After his death Mr. John Slidell
Senator from Louisiana, became its occu-
pant, and sterped out OF it when he step
ped INTO the Southern Confederacy. Mr.
Slldcll was born in New York and edu-
Gated AT Columbia Colleqe: but he subse-
quently took his birthright and his educa-
ton and planted them in New Orleans.
The fruit they bore him proved exceedingly
bitter TO the taste.
EDITORIAL NOTE. IN III storic Homes of
washington" next isspe Mrs Lockwood viii
teil OF the homes Of the Historians George
bancroft and John Hy and others. The