St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-04-22

was verltable &amDIlng neIi. Ane
prevailing impression was that Cata-
cay was a real gambler, and his wife
an unwilling accomplice. Consequently
the Russian minister and his wife were
unable to induce their social callers to
play any game with them, and their So
-cial circles became very much abridged
because Of their well-earned reputation
as crooks.
just at this time Catacaxy took up an
old claim of this government against
Russia for arms furnished to Russia
during the Crimean war. The Gcpart-
ment Of state did not want to press the
claim, but Catacazy insssted upon hav-
ing it settled, as he wanted the credit OF
accomplishing a settlement. 1t would
please his royal master. The secretary
Of state would not press the Claim, and
Catacazy- caused several newspapers tc
attack the department OF state, as well
as the families Of the secretary Of state
and of President Grant. These newspa-
per attacks were traced by sworn tes-
iimony to the hand and pen of Cata-
cazy.
This having been demonstrated, .
message was sent to the American min
lister, Andrew G. Curtin. at st. Peters
burg, requesting the Russian govern.
ment to recall Catacazy, as his presence
in this capital was distasteful and disa-
greeable to our government. This re-
quest was not complied with. Prime
Minister Gortchakof sending back
word that Archduke Alexis, son Of the
car, was about to visit the United
States, and the prime minister solicited
that there should be no diplomatic
breach at this time.
President Grant fully realized that
the -ezar is the autocrat Of his vast do
mains, and that to him personally We
were indebted for his support during
our civil war. Therefore Grant decided
that the czar's son should be received in
q fitting manner, and that the diplomat.
ic breach should be concealed for the
time being. Hence Catacazy was per
mitted to remain. But. under direc-
tions of the secretary of state, he mere.
ly presented the archduke, and was NOT
permitted to make any remarks what
ever.
President Grant received Archduks
Alexis at the white house, and he was
presented by Catacazy, who merely ut
tered the formal words prescribed for
him. Word was then sent to Alexis
that the president would be pleased to
entertain him at dinner. but that Cata-
cazy could not be included in the invi-
tation. Answer came back that the
archduke must decline the invitation,
because Of the limitation put upon it.
Alexis personally said to our secretary
of state that he fully appreciated the
situation, knew that our president anil
our nation were friendly, but that he
could not officially ignore the minister
Of his own country. Thus it happened
that the favorite SON Of our good friend
the czar, left Washington without din.
ing with President Grant.
Subsequently. when Grant was tour
ing around the world, he was invited te
st. Petersburg. to visit the czar, who
received him with royal courtesy ans
genuine welcome. sitting beside him or
q sofa for almost an hour conversing
upon international topics. Grant wal
given the freedom Of the city and ever,
courtesy extended to royalty was ex
tended to him. except one. Grant Wal
not invited to dine with the czar.
Catacazy was recalled from thii
country. He was exiled from Russia
and ordered to remain in Paris, Will
orders not to write for newspapers
He violated that order, and published
an insolent open letter in American
newspapers. For this he was deprived
Of his pension. SMITH D. FRY.