No. 232.
Mr. Read to Mr. Evarts.

No. 367.]

Sir: The papers of this morning are full of enthusiastic accounts of the splendid reception given to General Grant. I gave a large dinner in his honor yesterday, at which the admiral and many of the officers of our fleet were present, and to-night a dinner is to take place at the palace, to which more than seventy persons are invited.

The visit of General Grant has excited the highest interest among the Greeks of every class. A great crowd is uninterruptedly stationed opposite this legation in the hopes of catching a glimpse of him.

The King has manifested the utmost interest in the visit of General Grant, and several days before his coming issued orders to insure his prompt and hearty reception.

Immediately upon General Grant’s arrival, by special orders from the King, the minister of war detailed Major Fountoucles, of the staff, to attend General Grant as his aid-de-camp. The prefect of the administrative police of Athens and the Piræus also placed a guard at the door of the legation, and all the other ministers have manifested the greatest care not to omit anything that could be done as a mark of honor and respect to General Grant.

I have, &c.,

JOHN MEREDITH READ.