The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-12

ton, and gave many brilliant entertain
ments in honor of the Queen. After
wards for many years, Admiral David
d. Porter made II the center of bountiful
hospitality.
| The Blair mansion, just around the
corner. was built about eighty years ago,
| by Joseph Lowell surgeon general of the
army. Then Francis Preston Blair, edi-
| tor of the Globe, purchased II; and In nat
ural course Of events Ii came to a son,
Francis p. Blair Jr.. the congressman
and major general, with whose doings all
readers Of American history are familiar.
Mr. George Bancroft lived here while
Secretary of the Navy under Polk; also
later Secretary of the Navy Mr.. John
Y. Mason, whose daughter was married
to Gen. w T. Sherman in this house.
May /, 1850. The President, his cabinet
and large number of distinguished per-
sons were present. Three years later the
Old house came into possession Of sen-
ator Montgomery Blair, brother OF the
Major General.
The Van Buren-Decatur house, built IL
1919, once one of the most magnificent in
America, is now classed among its mel
ancholy "hants" on account of the al
legged prowling propensities of the Com
modores' ghost Besides the usual grand
furnishings of such a mansion, there were
gathered within its walls a great variety
of rare and curious things-captured
prizes. with many a stirring or romantic
tale attached to them of exploits on the
high seas and far away coasts; besides a
wonderful array of swords and gold
medals, gifts from Congress for victories
won through skill and daring Magnifi-
cent entertainments we're given here-but
only for one year Of the Commodores' life.
on March g. 1920. he fought duel with
| Commodore Burron, at Bladensburg and
was brought home to die. His widow
lived here alone for three years. and then
ended her days In the Georgetown con-
vent. Since then the mansion hos been
the home of Henry Clay, John Quincy
Adams, Martin Van Buren, Edward Liv-
ingston, George M. Dallas, Sir Charles
Vaughan. British Minister. Judah p. Ben
jamin, afterwards Secretary of State Of
the Confederacy. and Gen. Beale. The
last named gentleman was grandson
OF Commodore Truxton. and 1t is interest
ing that Commodore Decatur had served
under Commodore Truxton as midship-
man. Gen. Beale was an intimate friend
OF Gen. Grant, and his frequent host I'M
der this notable roof.
In the immediate neighborhood are the
former homes of Vice President Schuyler
II.
Admiral Shubrick. Robert Ingersoll, Will
lam Window, when Secretary of the Treas
ury, Reverdy Johnson and Charles Sum
ner for the last nine years of his life OPP
posite the Sumner home Is the big brown
mansion. now the Cosmos Club, to which
Dolly Madison returned after her hus-
bands death, and where she held COURT
for several years. II was purchased by
Capt. Wilkes. who captured Mason and
Siidell. and during the Civil War was the
headquarters of Gen. Mcclellan and his
stan, including the Prince de Joinviile
and his nephews. the Duke de Charities
and Count de Paris. The land adjoining
has once owned by Henry Clay On Il a
house was built by Commodore Rodgers
1T was afterwards the home OF John e.
Calhoun. and of William II. Seward.
and here MIR. Stewards assassina-
ton was attempted by Payne Later Il
became the home of James G.. Blaine and
now, alas! the Venefa able and history
fraught structure has given place to a
modern opera house.
The later hcme OF Daniel Webster Is in
another part Of the city-and not at all a
Desirable one nowadays. between Louisi-
ana avenue and Sixth street. Forty years
ago the older mansion was doubled in size
and duplicated I'm style and Is now the
Webster law building. The former front
door is now a window, but the same old
sandstone Steps are yet doing duty
though not in the original place. Looking
down them, one thinks of the dignihed
judi form that used to go in and out.
Going through the hall and raising back
wlnGow, You sc a pitifully neglected
ope ! space that used to be Websters gar
den and orchard--then a BEAUTIFUL and
tenderly-eared for place, with choicest
flowers and fruit trees. A circle OF angu-