The Washington weekly post., 1900-10-02

an error once Il Is started. In profusely
illustrated book on Washington ] fln3 a
picture 0f Ar. Jefferson "hitchlng his
horse 10 a sapiing" near the Capitol pre-.
paratory 70 hts Inauguration. No such In
ciaent occurred
Mr. Jefferson at the time OF his election
10 the Presidency resided at large board
!ES-hOuse kept By q Mr.. Conrad on the
west side OF New Jersey avenue and With
IN one square OF the Capitol grounds.
Having only a short distance 10 go. he
walked 90 the Capitol. leaving his board
ine-house few minutes before noon, ac-
oompanlcd by some Senator'S and Repre-
senistiyes who were his felloW-bOarders.
Arriving at the Capitol. he was met by
committee OF the Senate, who escorted
him into the chamber. where he took the
oath of once, administered by the Chief
Justice, and then delivered his Inaugural
address. The President then walked home
20 Mr.. Corrad's. and al dinner occupied
his usual seat at the foot Of the table.
Mr.. jefferson adhered all through his sd-
ministrstion 10 the simplicity which had
marked his inauguration.
Sir Augustus Foster in his letters TO
the Duchess Of Deyonshire, gives some
very interesting details OF the social life
tA iHdA I'AaOA- EAtOflliE ~ -li Aux hNA u
Foster. the diplomatic corps did not re-
celye the courtesy they expected at the
hands Of the new President. Mr., Merry,
the English envoy. felt himself highly in
suited because at the first state dinner TO
which he and his wife were invited, on
the announcement Of the dinner the Presi-
dent gave his arm 20 the lady he hap
pened to be nearest TO instead OF to Mrs.
Merry. The members OF HIS Cabinet fol-
lowed his example. leaving the English
Minister and his wife 10 get into the din
ing-room the best they could
social Precedence War Even Then.
Mr.. Merry. with his wife on his arm.
led her 10 the dinner table. but refused
all subsequent Invitations to the White
House and only called upon official bust
ness An explanation was offered by Mr..
Madison, Secretary of State. that had he
been an ambassador he would have been
recognized as a personal representative
Of his sovereign by the President but as
an envoy he was considered as only the
political agent OF the English government
and therefore was not entitled 10 social
precedence. 1t is said by Sir Augustus
that Mr.. jefferson was disappointed at
England not sending an ambassador 10
this country instead of an envoy. 1t was
Mrs. Madison 10 whom he gave his arm
on that OCCASION and the precedence set
by him on that occasion had been followed
by all his successors.
Mr.. Foster states in one OF his letters
that the French minister at that time
was Gen. Turreau, man of humble
birth. who had risen 70 eminence during
the French revolution, and who. on one
occasion during those perilous times, was
imprisoned, whereupon he fell In love
with the daughter OF the Jailor and mar
ried her. Mr.. Foster says that he treat
ed her very badly, and was in the habit
of horsewhipping her to the accompani-
ment of the violoncello. played by his
secretary, 20 drown the cries of the poor
woman. The neighbors, indignant at
this cruelty, made complaint to a magls-
trate. who forced the door of the en-
bassy and obliged the minister to agree
10 give her a separation and allowance
The latter. however. was never paid /
have no means of verifying or disproving
this story and give it only as a piece CT
gossip contained in the published letters
of MIR. Foster.
The younger brother of Napoleon, Je-
rome Bonaparte, was another OF the emf
nent visitors of that day. 1t was at this
period he became enamored with Miss
Patterson, or Baltimore. Her parents op-
posed the match, but the young people
would listen TO no opposition, and were
married. Mr.. Jefferson wrote Mr.. Iiv-
lngston, the American minister in
France. announcing the event Appre-
hending that Napoleon might not approve
OF 1t, and might call upon the government
to annul IL, Mr.. Livingston was instruct
ed 10 inform the First Consul that the
laws Of this country recognized the mar
rlage or any man or woman of age. and
had therefore no power TO annuI or dis
turb II. He stated: MIR. Patterson is the
president of the Bank of Baltimore. end
the wealthiest man in Maryland. and
perhaps, In the United States. excent Mr.
carroll OF Carrollton. The station of ,ba
family in society is with the first of the
United States"
Return of Themas Paine.
The arrival in 1902 at Washington of
Thomas Paine created a sensation here
as ne had become member of the French
hauohdl assembly that condemned T.ouis
Nv 10 the gulllotine, though Mr.. Paine
Nu'ed ana protested against IT, In recoe-
hIuoh OF MS services in the cause nf
American independence, MIR. Jefferson had
offered him passage to this country IN
United States warship. which he ac-
cepted. Mr.. Paine, besides being a radical
Democrat. was said 10 be an infidel ami
lhe opposition press made this a Oretext
against the President Of sympathy with
IAlnes inndelity, and accused him of an
intention to employ him as an instrument
In breaking down the religious sentiment
OF this country.
Mr.. Jefferson always denied this. and
In fafg n.
faNe summary OF his religious views
HCih WHICH IL appeared he was a Uni
tartan.
Another distinguished visitor DURING Asr
Jerersons first term was Baron Won
Humboldt Of whom Mrs. Madison sneaks
In one OF her letters: I'VE have lately
had great treat in the companv of a
charming Prussian baron. All the ladies
say they are In love with him, notwith-
standing his lack OF personal charms. He
Is the most polite. modest, well-inforued
and interesting traveller We have ever
met. aud he is much pleased with Amer
tea"
The name OF Alexander Vattemora was
recalled 20 me the other day as one who
had rendered valuable service 10 This ami
other countries, If not TO the whole v,c.lJ
by inaugurating the system OF inter,s.
uonaI exchange of books between the
governments OF Europe and the ITnitn5
States and between the libraries of The
respective countries There are. how
ever very few who remember even his
name nave not heard IL for years. but
recall very distinctly his Iabors here ,n
establishing the exchange OF books. He
found very earnest support In the Ma
Ecnal Intelligencer, whose columns vers
open 10 him. and through them he made
known the system which has been Dro.
Cuctive OF benefits 10 the world of letter
lie at one time held an Official position
under the French government. and. losing
u. he had recourse 10 his dexterity as a
sleight-of-hand performer and ventrilo-
qulst for his support. and was celebrated
as Monsieur Alexandra. eannet remem.
Der II ne gave performance here in pub
lie, but do recall an amusing ana tnter-
ealing HglihfIfQn "a Nag.