The National tribune., 1897-12-16

Attorney General Crittenden, Hon William
c. Preston, and Mr.. Roosevelt, OF New York
Here the accomplished Mrs. Roosevelt did
honor to the home of Mrs. Madison by en-
PERTAINING in true knickeTbOckeT style
The last years OF Mrs. Madison's life was
spent in this house. Her New Years and
Fourth of July receptions were hOnored by
the same thrOng OF visitors, dignitarleS and
strangers who had previously made their
official visit to the President. After her
death her house was purchased by Com
modore Wilkes, who captured Mason and
Slidell.
During the war it was the Headquarters
of Gen. Mcclellan. A sight Of frequent
occurrence, in those days, was the General
with his Chief-of Staff, Gen. Marcy, his
Aids. Count de Charities and Comte de
Paris, with Prince de Joinville at their
side, in full military costume, mounted,
ready to gallop of over the Potomac hills.
For many years it was rented to the
French Claims Commission, and, at last,
was purchased by the Cosmos Club Under
their supervision it underwent cxten
siye repairs and is now the cheerful head
quarters OF the literati Of Washington.
A few rods to the south OF this IS the
house once owned and occupied by Ben
jamin Ogle Tayloe. IL was completed in
1928, but owing To ii want OF utilization with
the incoming Administration Oi Gen. Jack
son, the house was leased by Thomas
Swan, an eminent lawyer OF Washington,
and father OF Gov. Swan. of Maryland.
MIR. Swan owned the house that has
long been known the home Of Vi. W.
Corcoran, and was leased To the Russian
Minister, Baron krudencr
When Mr.. Tayloe came into possession
of his home, for 40 years he dispensed d
liberal and elegant Hospitality. lie enter
tanned under this roof the most eminent Of
his countrymen and the most distinguished
foreipperS that have visited this Ia md
The last visit made by Gen. William
Henry Harrison To any private house was
10 that OF Mr.. Tayloe, To whom he an
nounced his intention OF making his
brother, Edward Tayloe, United States
Treasurer.
His long residence abroad as Secretary to
Minister Rush, at the Court OF st. James,
did not ALLEVIATE him from his love for his
native land His friends and his CORE
spondence prove this. From a character
istic letter from his friend, u. T. Worme
ley, Of Newport, Ii. l., in 1850, we quote the
following president Zachary Taylor had
Just died..
Il deeply regret the demise of the late
President ard highly rejoice in that of his
Cabinet.
There's Il sweet little cherub that sits up
alcft,
To koep watch for the life OF poor Jack.
A union oi les, a union OF lands,
union Of St2-es none can sever;
4 union O hearts, union Of hands,
The American Union forever
will be my toast whenever called upon for
the issues OF my heart"
In the latter part of February, 1859, when
the tragical event took place of the shoot
ing Oh Philip Barton Key by Gen. Sickles
the former was carried into the home Of Mr.
Tayloe, who WAS relative Of Key, where
he died few moments after.
Mr.. IaylOe was married i'm Troy, Y Y
IL.
She was, 10y birth and education, fitted 10
adOrn such "A home. In the Summer OF
1885 she passed away. In years after, Mr.
TaylOe married Miss PhGLe Warren, OF
Troy. lie died i'm Rome, and upon the
death OF his wife, which occurred only four
years ago, the CGrc0ran Art Gallery came
INTO possession OF all the works OF art that
adorned ihIs beautiful home, the gift OF
Mrs. Tayloe. fine library. pictures, brio
a-brac and specimens Of elliptic art com
prise this collection.
Near the middle OF the block stand. the
most historic building i'm the Square. The
ground upon which this house was built
was once owned by Henry Clay
il - told that he came into possession of
IL by the exercise OF the profession which
Mrs. Clay said did not disturb her because
he always won. He exchanged this LOT
with Commodore Rodgers for iackass
which he had brought from ii foreign port
The beast was transferred TO his celebrated
stock farm in Kentucky, and there is a
tradition that the mules for which old
kentucky IL so famous owe their origin ia
this braying grandfather of La Fayette
Square.
The house was built by Commodore Rod
gers, who was known as the Nesfor Of the
Navy. Alter his death it was the home of
Roger Is fancy while Secretary of the
Treasury; then of Mr.. Pauldinp. Secretarv