No. 123.
Mr. Pierrepont to Mr. Evarts.
London, June 27, 1877. (Received July 9.)
Sir: On the last day of May ex-President Grant arrived in London, and was my guest until the 22d day of June. Learning of his proposed visit some twenty days before his arrival, I unofficially talked with Lord Derby, the minister of foreign affairs, upon the subject, and with other members of the Queen’s government.
Every disposition so to adjust the matter as to be most complimentary to our country was everywhere manifested, and the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and every member of the British Government, so far as I could see, have been most cordial in their reception of the ex President of the great republic, and he has been received with all the honors accorded to an ex-emperor.
[Page 262]The freedom of the city of London was bestowed upon the ex-President with great ceremony at Guildhall, the lord mayor presiding.
Yesterday General and Mrs. Grant, the American minister and Mrs. Pierrepont, were invited to dine with the Queen at Windsor Castle and to remain until to-day, which we did, and returned to London this forenoon.
These courtesies, as well as those of the Prince of Wales and of the Queen’s ministers of state, were intended as friendly compliments to our country, and have their uses.
General Grant leaves London for Paris on the 5th of July.
I have, &c.,