The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-06
CHAPTER Y.
AN II STREET MANSION.

AN STREET MANSION.
Admiral David d. Porter's Late Residence
Has Been That of Many Distinguished
Mention. Hamilton Fish, Hon. Richard
Rush and Others-The Richie House.
Among the many prominent citizens OF
Pennsylvania who have filled CABINET po-
sitions during the history OF the Govern
ment-and the list contains many notable
names-none has surpassed that OF the
Hon. Richard Rush in power and dignity
and purity OF private life.
He was Secretary of the Treasury from
1925 TO 1929, and during this time he built
the house No. ITO III street, af erward oc-
cuped by Admiral Porter. When first built
1t was two story structure with an at
tic but it was afterwards carried up another
story and many other Improvements added,
Including a large ballroom built by the
Hon. Hamilton Fish, who subsequently
purchased the property.
Mr.. Rush came of good Revolutionary
stock, his father being the Hon. BENJAMIN
Rush of the Continental Congress. In the
Provincial Conference of Pennsylvania he
was Chairman of the committee which re-
ported that it had become expedlent for
Congress TO declare independence. lie
was one OF the SignerS OF the Declaration OF
Independence Richard Rush graduated
was sent as Minister TO England, where he
remained eight years, and while there ne
gotiated several treaties.
When he went TO England the late Ben
Iamin Ogle Tayloe, of Washington, accom-
panied him as Secretary of Legation.
While abroad Mr. Rush, through his
high social and diplomatic position, was
brought frequently into the presence OF his
lair countrywomen, the three Misses Cation,
who. for their wit, beauty and accomplish
ments, were called the Three Graces.
They were from Annapolis, Nd. One OF
them became the Duchess of Leeds, an
rther the Marchioness of WELLESLEY, and the
third Lady Stafford. They were the grand
daughters of Charles Carroll of Carrollton,
who was one OF the signers OF the Declare
ton of Independence, and was known as
the last surviving signer.
Mr.. Rush's wife also came from Annapo-
lis, Nd. She was Miss Eliza Murray,
cousin of James ID. Murray, Paymaster OF
the United States Army. 1t was very
natural that there should be cordial friend
ship existing between them and the Cation
sisters. The o'lowirg anecdo Is told apro
pos of the administration OF Richard RuSh
at the Court OF London: "At a small dinner
many years afterwards, at the King 's-then
William IVA gentleman of the house
hold was disposed to be little pleasant
with one of these accomplished sisters on
account OF her nationaf>, and at length
said: Now, do pra- al US, lady, do you
come from that >of America where they
reckon or ed1ate9' She comes from
neither, said the King slowly; she comes
from that part Of America where they faSci-
nate"
In 1928 Mr.. Rush was the candidate for
Vice President on the ticket with John q.
Adams, and received the same number of
electoral votes. He negotiated a loan in
Holland for the Corporations of Washington,
Georgetown, and Alexandria. Jackson APP
pointed him commissioner 10 obtain the !
Smithsonian legacy, then in the English |
Court of Chancery. In due time he re- |
turned, bringing the whole amount.
President Polk appointed him Minister to |
France, and in 1913 he was the first OF the |
foreign Ministers at the French court to |
recognize the new Republic in advance Of
instructions from his Government At the !
close of President Folks term he asked TO /
be recalled, and spent the remainder OF his |
life in comparative retirement. He had |
large family OF sons and daughters, and |
during their residence in Washington he |
entertained elegantly.
Miss Eliza Rush married John Calvert !
esq, OF Prince Georges County. Maryland, a
lineal descendant of Lord Baltimore, and
the uncle of the wife of r. L. Kearney, of
Washington, ID. c.
The next prominent parsonage 10 reside |
in this mansion was the Hon. Hamilton
Fish, then Senator from New York. Dur
ing the war he was one OF the United
States Commissioners to visit soldiers con-
fined in Confederate prisons. In 1863 he
was appointed Secretary Of State in the |
Cabinet Of Gen. Grant, which position he
creditably filed eight years.
Other occupants OF this mansion have
been Sir Frederic Bruce, Lord Napier and
Lord Lyons, representing Great Britain at
Washington. Lord Lyons, previous 10 COM
ing here, had been an attache of the Eng
lsh Legation at Athens and Dresden, re-
spectively, Secretary of the English Lega- |
ton at Florence, and Envoy at Tuscany.
During his long residence here he gave |
many brilliant entertainments, especially |
those in honor Of the birthday Of his sOve--
eign. He afterwards became the British |
ambassador 10 France.
A later occupant and owner was the gal
liant Admiral Of the Navy, David ID. Porter,
who was born June 8, 1914, in Pennsyi- |
vania. His father, the gallant Porter of
Essex fame, having left our service and
accepted the position Of Commander-in- |
Chief in Mexico, obtained an appointment |
for his son in the