Evening star., 1940-12-22

October S, 1860, when visiting this
country as the Prince of Wales,
under the nom de plume of Lord
Renfrew Admiral David D. Porter
also made it his residence, as did
Hamilton Fish when Senator from
New York. The District of Columbia
Society of the Sons of the American
Revolution was organized on. this
site April 10, 1890.
In the spring of 1865 Sir Frederick
William Adolphus Bruce was sent
here to succeed Lord Lyons and oc-
cupied the old Ringgold residence
at Twenty-fifth and L streets. Bruce
died mysteriously at the fremont
House. New York.
Sir Edward Thornton. son Of the
Charge d'Affaires Edward Thornton,
who came here in 1900, became the
British Minister in February. 1868.
and it was he who Influenced his
government to build the British Le-
CATION which stood for so many
years at the northwest corner of
Connecticut avenue and N street
and until the embassy was moved
to its present home on Massachu-
setts avenue.
Business Export.
Thornton was not only a diplomat.
but a good businessman besides.
combining force with determination,
and all the qualities he possessed, it
seems, were required to convince the
home Office that Great Britain
should stop moving it's Minister and
Legation all over town, and should
possess its own home, where it might
remain undisturbed indefinitely At
one time he obtained an option on
the property at the northwest corner
of Fifteenth and H streets, where
then stood two houses, one belong
ing to Representative Samuel Hoop
er of Massachusetts,, who resided
there, and smaller one belonging
to Mr.. Hodges. At first Mr..
Hooper asked $50, 900 for his holdings
and Mr.. Hodges agreed to take s28,-
900 for his, but when an effort was
made to clinch the deal Hooper
boosted his price to 100000 and the
deal was called off. This was in
1872.
The property at Connecticut ave-
nue. and N street was later bought
for so cents a square foot. James
M. Latta, an attorney and claims
agent, was the owner of the prop
erty, and the building was erected
by Col. Robert I. Fleming at q cost
of 100000.
There are many Washingtonians
who have fond recollections of many
of the more recent ENJOYS and Am
bassadors since the days of LORD
Sackville West, who was unfortunate
enough to be recaRed by his gov-
ernment in 1888, at the request OF
President Cleveland.
He was followed in Washington
by Sir Julian Pauncefote, afterwarG
Lord Pauncefote, whose rank was
increased in March, 1893, TO AM
bassador Extraordinary, thereby be-
coming the first Ambassador ever
accredited to the United States.
Hon. Sir Michael Herbert and Right
Hon. Sir Henry Mortimer Durand
followed in order, and. then came
Right Hon. James Bryce, who was
not only popular with the masses,
but appears to have taken q keener
interest in the Federal Capital than
any of his predecessors. Indeed, his
writings orsWashington are regarded
very highly by well-informed people.
At the time of our entrance into
the World War, Right Hon. Viscotlnt
Reading came here on a special mis-.
sion, being followed by Sir Auckland
Geddes, Sir Esme Howard, Sir Rom
aid Lindsay and Lord Lothian, who
died recently and who came here
on August 80, year ago, but who
in that short time endeared him.
self to all those with whom he came
in contact.
His reception at the British EN-
bassy a year ago last June, in honor
of the King and Queen of Great
Britain, was an important event,
and one which will 60 down in his
tory to vie with the visit made hers
In 1850 by the Prince OF Wales,
later Edward VII.
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