Clara Barton Family Papers Barton, Stephen E. Diary, 1881[*2 19*] Washington D C Apl 10 - 1881 Took a long walk this pm after supper with Rev. Wm. M. Ferguson - went out by the Farragut Statue, junction of I St & Conn Ave. then up Conn Ave, saw residence of Vinnie Ream Hoxie - the sculptress - it is a beautiful bldg. quaint looking pretty red brick, facing N & W cor of 16th & K Sts - next viewed the mansion of British Minister on Conn. Ave & the beautiful new bldgs in its vicinity, of the Queen Annie style of architecture, low, usually not more than 2 low studded stories. Saw the large Mrs. Senator Stewart (of Cal) Mansion, its an unsightly pile of dirty grey or cream colored brick irregular shape devoid of beauty in construction color or surroundings, It was nearly destroyed by fire few years ago & a black tin, tarred roof now covers it. The Senator failed financially & his wife did architecturally - we then kept onout to Georgetown, over the Rock Creek bridge - to the Cemetery at Oak Hill, a beautiful place on the Southern bank of rock creek, grounds are covered with with very large white oaks & slopes down a long uneven surface to the creek in the ravine, the hills rising [very] somewhat higher on the other side, very picturesque - Merritt pointed out the former abodes of lots of "old rebels" "vile old witches" as he termed them, said "they are all dead now" - it must have been a hot bed of secesh - saw the old mansion formerly occupied by the British Minister, a sightly, country looking old brick 2 or 3 story bldg. quite large, built on a little prominence back 100 f. from the road. "Road St." passed a pretty 2 sty brick dwelg - fair sized, once & perhaps now owned by Genl Grant - We soon turned down toward the Potomac to the left, down through the city, which resembles very much some of the older Canadian cities like Kingston & Toronto - 2 Apl 10/81 Merritt told me lots of stories, one about a fellow preacher who once discoursed to great extent about the "aboginians" - the noble red men - Coming back thro' Georgetown we crossed the bridge where the water pipes, immense iron pipes, form the supports of a public bridge crossing Rock Creek, the pipes form an elbow shaped arch on which the middle of the bridge rests, thereby being doubly useful - We came down Penna ave past Columbia Hospital - Merritt pointed out lots of historic points, notably the former mansion of Senator Gwinne of Texas on I. St [near] cor of 19th or 18th I think, where Rebel spys were harbored by Mrs. Gwinne - on [18th] 15 1/2 St cor of H. stands the old Hamilton [St] residence Aaron Burr killed Hamilton in a duel, then on 15 1/2 St below Robert G. Ingersolls dwelg stands Sewards dwelg where the assassins attacked him - below it standsthe house wherein Genl Sickles shot Barton H. Key - on H. St. between 15 1/2 & 15th is Judge Carter's residence & Merritt tells of having "wholloped" the Judge once when they were [k]nits together. Carter having been the son of a disreputable tavern keeper in NY state, or, the keeper of a disreputable tavern, perhaps - Merritt extemporized exhaustively on the possibilities of all mens rising to Eminence in our country. We saw the fine residence of Fernando Wood on I, cor 15th - also of poor Boss Sheppard up on K near Conn. Ave, I think [*19 Diary S.E.B.*] Apl 11 -- At 10 am went to Patent Ofc & looked over Records of Patents referred to in declination - Capt Brecht will draw up argument for reconsideration - at 1130 appeared at Dept. of State by appointment of Mr. Blaine, was shown into the Diplomatic Chamber where we waited patiently for about an hour when Secy Blaine came in with Mrs. D. Loving of Mass. He did not know we were waiting - but when I introduced him to Sissy he was extremely cordial, sat down and asked the nature of the visit, he had little knowledge of it, when shown the Prest's letter he thought it would come more clearly & rightly under the "supervision of the Secy of War." He asked Sissy to state briefly the objects of it which Sissy did. She said, if he could give her the time she would like to explain it fully, could he give her time? he replied, "Miss BartonI can give you all the time you need" - Sissy told him the whole story from beginning to end, in very fine & pleasant style, the Secy listening with intent interest. He said that "the Monroe doctrine was not made to ward off humanity" - He seemed inclined to think the action of the Senate necessary, but said if the pamphlet (which had been given him) could be left he would look it over leisurely & if Sissy would call at any time after a few days he would be prepared to "cooperate fully with her in carrying the matter successfully through" "He might reply to the letter approvingly now, but he wanted to do more" - In conclusion he said that "the grounds for Mr. Sewards objection would not stand in his way" He was, he said, "in full sympathy with it" and "if it needed the action of the Senate, that could be had" - He made that a matter of of course Having been presented to [the] Mrs. D. Loring, pleasant little conversation ensued, Mrs. D. L. saying "she should esteem it an honor to 2/ make the acquaintance of Sissy" - She invited her to call. She would be at home Tuesday afternoons - Mr. Blaine hoped Sissys call at their residence would "not be the last" after bidding good bye we went to the Secy of War but were too late, it being past the hour 1 pm & we were unable to see him - then we went to Genl Schenks 1344 M. St. Cor 14th & Iowa Circle & had a pleasant call, after which we "returned home well pleased with our days journey" &c to find Mrs Hitz & several other callers awaiting us --Tuesday Apl 12 1881 At 10 am went to War Dept. Clara had a brief but very cordial interview with Secy Robt. T. Lincoln to express to him her thanks for the kindnesses of his father. He was much affected & very grateful & requested her very earnestly to call again - From there we went to Treasy dept to Judge Lawrences. First comptrollers office room 98. I took Claras card in & the Judge said "where is Clara Barton? tell her never to send her card to me again. He came to meet her & put aside a number of gentlemen. after few moments talk he sat down to finish a little business and Maj. Pettibone of Greenville Tenn came & introduced himself & said he desired to express the gratitude of the [bo?o] union men & soldiers of Eastern Tenn whom he represented in Congress - he was very excellent & kind in his remarks & his eyes filled with tears while he spoke - He told of the cause of the loyalty there, that it was2. 12th Apl ---- because of the antislavery views of Wm. Lundy who in 1818-19 & 20 became so earnest in his expression of them that he was compelled to move to Balto - It was he who taught Wm Lloyd Garrison & Lundy's views resulted in making Eastern Tenn loyal in 1850 to 61 - - at 11.30 went to Grey Windoms ofc with Judge Lawrence. Met Senator Conger who talked pleasantly & earnestly about the Red Cross & spoke very kindly & feelingly of Clara to Judge L. saying he (Judge L) was just the man to present her wishes to Mr Garfield & have them all granted, Judge L. said he would certainly do so - (He didn't need telling) - then had a very pleasant chat with Grey Windom, who was usually cordial, He cannot be unusually so unless he is less so than usual - met a son of Parson Brownlow, he has a wonderfully big head - Then went to Pension Ofc & had a nice talk with Dr Hood, he is very pleasant, Said send him all the details 3-12th ---- Apl of the Horace Pike case & he would take Clara's statement & see what could be done, He said they were tied down by prescribed laws but they liberal & tried to find reasons why pensions should, rather than should not be paid - Then went to Capitol & Mr Conger introduced us to Vice Prest C. A. Arthur in the Vice prests room, Clara spoke concerning Mr. Woodard - Arthur was very kind. We shook his hand - & left - Then came home - at 3 1/2 went to D Lorings 1521 K. St. to reception - very delightful time, Mrs D L. the Dr & Miss. Sally -- then Clara & Mrs Taylor went to Mrs Dalls to tea & - I came home - went for them at 7 pm & we came home at 9:30 pm —