Year: 1877

Grant was presented with the honorary
freedom Of the city Of London at Guild
hall to-day. About 800 ladies and gentle
men, including several members Of the
government, American consuls, merchants,
and principal trade and commerce repre-
sentatiyes were invited to dejeuner subse-
quent to the civic ceremony. The entrance
to the hall and the corridors of the Guild
hall were laid with crimson cloth. The
walls were decorated with mirrors.


Guests commenced to arrive about half
past eleven o'clock, and from that time
until half-past twelve steady stream of
carriages poured into the Guild hall yard.
Grant arrived at about one o'clock.


He was received at the entrance of Guild
hall by a deputation consisting of four al
dermen with their chairman. six members
of the city land committee, including the
mover and seconder of the resolution for
presenting him the freedom of the city,
and was conducted to the library, where he
was received by the lord mayor and took
his seat on dais on the left Of his lordship,
who occupied the chair as president of the
special court of the common council, at
which were assembled most of the men,
bers of the corporation, the aldermen
wearing scarlet roses and the common
council their mazarine gowns. The reso-
luton of the court was read by the town
clerk, and Grant, after an address made by
the chamberlain, was admitted to the free
dom of the city, the chamberlain extending
the right hand of fellowship as a citizen OF
London, which was cordially grasped
amidst renewed applause. Grant replied.
He then subscribed his name to the roll of
honorary freeman, which concluded the
business of the special court.


Gen. Grant, in his speech, referred to
the pleasant relations existing between the
United States and Great Britain. He said
he always desired peace, even if he had to
fight for it. He was delighted with the
reception given him in England, which he
accepted as an honor to the American
people. He expressed the hope that Eng.
land and America would always be at
peace, and believed that nothing could
occur to disturb the peaceful relations now
so firmly established between the two coun-
tries.


General Grant was accompanied by Mrs.
Grant and Minister and Mrs. Pierrepont.
Among the gentlemen present were Sir
Stafford Northcote and many members
of parliament. The gold casket containing
the freedom of the city has on the diverse
central panel view OF the capital at Was'l-
ington, and on the right and left are the
monogram and arms of the lord mayor.
On the reverse side is view of the en-
trance to Guildhall and appropriate figures; ;
also in gold, finely modelled and chased, a
representation of the city of London and
the United States bearing their respective
shields, the latter executed In rich enamel.
At the corners are double columns laurel
wreathed with corn and cotton, and on the
cover cornucopis emblematlcal of the fer
tility and prosperity Of the United States.
The rose, shamrock and thistle are also in
troduced. The cover is surmounted by the
arms of the city of London. The casket
is supported by American eagles modelled
in gold, the whole standing on a velvet
plinth decorated with stars and stripes.


Gen. Grant was then conducted by the
lord mayor to Guild hall, where an elegant
dejeuner had been provided. After the re-
past the lord mayor proposed the health of
the queen, which was drank silently, with
music of "God save the queen" Gen.
Grants health was then proposed amid tre-
mendous cheering. The lord mayor said
I, as the chief magistrate of the city of
London, and on the part of the corpora
ton, offer you as hearty welcome as sin
certify of language can convey. Your
presence here as late president of the
United States is specially gratifying to all
classes Of the community, and we feel,
although this is your first visit to England,
that it is not stranger We greet, but
tried and honored friend. Twice occupy
ing as you did the exalted position of
president of the United States, and there
fore one of the foremost representatives of
that country, we confer honor upon our
selves by honoring you. Let me express
both the hope and belief that when you
take your departure you will feel that many
true friends of you personally, and also of
your countrymep, have been left behind. l
have the distinguished honor to propose
your health. May you long live to enjoy
the best of health and unqualified happi-
ness.


Grant left about four, accompanied by
the deputation.