The Washington weekly post., 1900-10-02

tnaA mere were fnfTtS-fnfef fortiEn gov
ernments that exchange their national
publications with us. All this vast aeces-
sion to the knowledge OF those countries
and the world in general owes It's origin
to Alexander yattem0re. who devoted the
best years OF his life 20 this project
Fake De.cradant ef ye-pucei.
A very decided sensation was created
during the latter part OF Mr. Van Bur
ems administration by the advent OF a
lady who claimed TO be descendant Of
Americas Vespueci. She was a young
Italian lady OF beauty and accomplish
nents. Ex-Presldent John Quincy Adams
and Ar. Webster were her friends. and
she was welcome guest IN the best so
elety here. few weeks after her aTriv-
al, on the 18th OF January. 1sEs, she pre-
sented a petition to Congress asking first
20 be admitted to the rights OF citizen
ship. and. secondly. 10 he given "a corner
Of land" out Of the public domain Of the
country which bore the name OF her H.
lustrious ancestor On the 26th OF Fesru-
airy. 1893, an adverse report was made
upon her petition for a gift Of land by the
Hon Robert J. Walker, then Senator
from Mississippi, which is one OF the
He eulOgized the petitioner as "a young
dignihed, and graceful lady. with a mind
OF the highest intellectual culture and a
heart beating with all our own enthus-
iasm In the cause OF America end human
liberty" The reasons were given In the
report why the prayer Of the petitioner
could not be granted. but she was com
mended 70 the generosity of the Amer
lean people In the name OF America. Our
countrys name should be honored, re-
spected. and cherished in the person Of
an interesting exile from whose ancestor
we derived a great and glorious title" A
subscription was Immediately opened by
Mr. Haight. Sergeant-at-arms OF the Sen
ate. and judges. Congressman and citi-
Zens WED with one another in their con-
tributions. which were very generous
The Judiciary Committee made no report
on her application for citizenship.
Just then il was whispered that Nine
Vespucci had borne an unenviable reputa-
ton at Florence ard Paris, and had been
induced by a pecuniary consideration to
break off an intimacy with the Duke Of
Orleans, Louis Philippe's oldest son. and
come 70 Washington. Soon afterward the
Prince Ge JOinville came 10 Washington
and refused to recognize her, which vIr-
tually excluded her from reputable So
olety.
To Mai Ben: Pcrley PoOre's interesting
volumes I am indebted for these particx-
lars. and he says: Fer some years sub
sequently she resided in luxu.IOus Sc
clUsiOn in the interior of the State of New
York with a wealthy citizen, and at hia
death eft for Europe" I remember her
very well. and like every one else. was
struck with her beauty and stately ap-
pearance."
Ordered To Return for Dinner.
This was the Prince de JoinvlIle's first
visit to America, during the latter part Of
Mr.. Van Buren's administration. Failing
On this visit to accept an invitation to
dinner given him by the President. he
was ordered by the King (his father 10
return a. once and accept the invitation,
which he did in 1872. But Mr.. Van Buren,
administration had then expired, and he
dined with Mr. Tyler, then President of
the United States, and subsequently visit
ed Mr.. Van Buren at Kinderhook. n. Y.
/ am indebted to DIR. Thomas Ritchie
Stone for the charming letters addressed
to his grandfather, the venerable Thomas
dUcing them / find in Mr. Maunsen 3.
Fields interesting book some reminis-
cences OF his intercourse with this great
singer and admirable woman. On her ar
rival in New York she sent note REQUEST
ing Mr.. Fields law partner, the Hon. John
Jay, TO whom she brought letters of intro
dCction from the Barings, TO call AMI see
her.
in,
called. She desired a contract drawn be
tween Mr.. p. T. Barnum and herself. for
up TO that time she had only a memoran-
DUN OF one. Mr. Field drew the contract
and IL was modified on two different oc-
casions, and Mr.. Barnum acquiesced n
any amendment she desired Mr. Field
was very much impressed with her. He
says: She was a calm, sensible. coa-
servative woman of high principles, rath-
er calculating than emotional She de-
tested humbug. l was with her when a
telegram was shown TO her mentioning
the enormous sum which was paid in Bos-
ton for choice of seats at her first con-
cert. What fool she exclaimed, of the
purchaser"
Letters Of Jennie Lind.
The letters DIR. Stone was good enough
to let ne copy exhibit this great artist
H. new and most agreeable light, which
Will, l am sure, interest the readers of
The Post. The first is dated at Nashville.
though mailed at Charleston, and is seal
ed with wax, with small seal with y. l."
in old English. 1t reads:
Dear Sir Il would say Dear Father RitehieI; PRAY
do forgive me for not having answered the Kind
note which was addressed to me at New Orleans
and express TO you my deep gratitude for all the
interest and kindness you therein have shown me !;
the friendly warnings and adyices you gave shall
ever be highly valued by me. and my greatest en-
deavOT shall always be TO follow them, that may
deserve your appreciation. As for my coming again
TO Washington, | am sorry to say that | believe
our road will not lead through that city, as We
most likely will not stop at Baltimore again
Accept, however my best and most sincere thanks
for your kindness TO invite me to visit Brandon IN
order 10 spend few days with your family, which
would indeed, have given me great pleasure and
enjoyment.
We are all enjoying good health With nv sin
cefe respects 10 dea- Mrs Ritchie and niy love 10
all your q believe fifteen in number. is it not p
daughters. remain now and henceforth, your az
fectionate child. JENNIE LIND.
Nashville, April /. 1851.
In another letter. dated Union Square
Hotel, New York, December 80, 1851, she
announced the death OF her mother.
Ny Dear Father RitehIe: / have received YOUR
very Kind and friendly letter and / assure You
that 10 the question you ask me- as to whether l
am still the same poor creature as before l
answer that am poorer. l would have liked TO
have written you a few lines with the same merry
heart formerly but the sad loss o, my dear
mother has put gladness out Of my power You
will therefore excuse my being very brief on the
present occasion, and take the will for the deed
l am sorry that / cannot avail myself Of your
Kind Invitation 10 Virginia, my desire at present
being the stTictest retirement.
Receive my best wishes for the soOn-eoming new
year. snd never doubt the regard and eohstaney of
your faithful daughter. JENNIE LIND.
To Thomas Ritehie, esq
A few days ago / was shown a iette-
written by the late Hon. Rufus Choate.
which was. perhaps, as extraordinary, ans
certainly as illegible. as any writing /
had ever seen. / had on more than one
occasion some experience with Mr. Choate's
handwriting while he was in the United