No. 231.
Mr. Read
to Mr. Evarts
.
Athens , March 9, 1878. (Received April 6.)
Sir: General Grant arrived at the Piræus in the Vandalia yesterday at 3.30 p.m. from Constantinople. The Marion, Commander Bradford, which has been stationed here for some time, and the Alliance, Commander Kane, flying the broad pennant of Admiral Le Roy, awaited his [Page 367] coming. I proceeded at once on board the Vandalia and welcomed General Grant. The captain of the port also came immediately to ascertain at what hour General Grant would like to land, as the municipal authorities desired to welcome him officially to the Piræus.
General Grant left the Vandalia at 5 p.m., accompanied by myself and Admiral Le Roy and Commander Robeson. As the boat passed toward the shore our three war-vessels; the two German vessels of war, Commodore Kinderling commanding; the Italian, Captain the Marquis San Felice; the French, Captain Billiard; the English, Lieutenant Doxat; and the two Greek, the Olga and the George, ran up our flag, manned their yards, cheered, and fired a salute of twenty-one guns.
The Piræus was brilliantly decorated with flags, and large crowds gathered to witness the landing, which took place at the new quay, whose marble square was ornamented with arches and banners, while a broad carpet was spread from the water’s edge to the spot where the carriages were stationed. The mayor of the Piræus, M. Mitzopoulos, advanced to the steps and addressed General Grant in the following words:
General: I and the communal council of this city having heard of your arrival, hasten to greet you and to bid you welcome. We desire to mark our respect for your excellency as a great general and a wise ruler, and to say that the Greek nation entertains the warmest sentiments of love and gratitude toward the American nation for what it did in behalf of Greece at the time of the struggle for independence in 1821, and for the sympathy which your country has so often and so constantly manifested.
General Grant replied, thanking the mayor and the city for his hearty reception; expressed his joy on account of the progress of modern Greece, and hoped that she might be permitted to continue to advance in glory and take that high position among the nations of the earth to which she is justly entitled. The city band then played “Hail to the Chief,” and the people cheered with the greatest enthusiasm.
General Grant made his way to the carriage which the mayor of the Piræus had placed at his disposal. The route to the station was thronged, and marks of respect were everywhere manifested. Upon the arrival of the long line of carriages at the station, the manager of the railway, Mr. Paraskeraides, advanced and announced that a special train, with a royal carriage attached, was in waiting. At the same time the little niece of the manager, dressed in the Greek costume, tendered to Mrs. Grant a beautiful bouquet composed of violets, with thirteen white roses therein, referring to the original United States.
Upon the arrival at Athens, the mayor of the city, the prefect of Attica and Bœotia, and the municipal council, surrounded by a great and enthusiastic crowd, welcomed General Grant. The mayor addressed him as follows:
The city of Athens receives with profound respect the late President of the glorious American Confederation. Seizing this occasion, Greece manifests in the strongest manner her undying gratitude toward the great American nation for the aid and sympathy which it copiously granted to her in her great struggle for independence. She feels, moreover, grateful for the interest which the United States manifested in behalf of the progress and future of Greece, and she is delighted to welcome the illustrious ruler and captain.
General Grant replied with great emphasis:
I am glad to find that the sentiments of both peoples are mutual. I sincerely wish that Greece may enjoy every species of prosperity, and I think that she should be allowed to take that enlarged position to which her ancient achievements and her modern progress clearly entitle her.
General Grant and family and suite were then conveyed to my residence amidst the salutations and cheers of the whole population. I have [Page 368] placed a large suite of rooms at General Grant’s disposal, and he will be my guest during his stay in Greece.
I shall spare no pains to carry out the instructions of the Department by extending every mark of attention and respect in my power to General Grant.
I have, &c.,