PRESIDENT HAYES, Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C.: Mrs. Grant joins me in thanks to you and Mrs. Hayes for your kind wishes in your message received on board this boat after pushing out from the wharf. We unite in returning our cordial greetings, and in expressing our best wishes for your health, happiness and success in your most responsible position. Hoping to return to my country to find it prosperous in business and with cordial feelings renewed between all sections, I am very truly yours,

U. S. GRANT.

THE INDIANA GOING TO SEA, AS VIEWED FROM CAPE MAY.

Throughout the voyage General Grant was in unusually good spirits, and remarked that it was the first time. in fifteen years that ten days had passed and he had not had a telegraph wire at his back, and he declared that the sensation was as agreeable as it had been unusual. Mrs. Grant greatly enjoyed the voyage. She remarked that the enthusiasm which had been manifested by the citizens

of Philadelphia was one of the most gratifying incidents of her life.

Grant's fellow passengers unite in saying that throughout the journey the General's manners were cordial and familiar. He was indeed a universal favorite. He arose at an early hour, and in company with his wife, enjoyed the morning breeze. After breakfast he joined the smoking-room club, and engaged in agreeable and entertaining conversation, in which he displayed a geniality and frankness the reverse of his reputed reserve. He entered heartily into all the amusements and incidents of ship-life, studying carefully the manners, details, and management of the steamship.

During the voyage an amusing incident occurred. One of the passengers had formerly served as a soldier under Buckner, at Fort Donaldson. There were repeated scenes of infinite banter between the veteran and General Grant, the latter nicknaming him "Johnny." When they reached Liverpool, the old soldier proclaimed himself a Grant man for the rest of his life.

There were very few incidents of interest connected. with the voyage. When about half way over, a child belonging to one of the steerage passengers died, and was buried at sca. General Grant attended the ceremony, and was deeply impressed with the solemn scene.

Although very free in his conversation, there were certain subjects which he persistently avoided. One of these was American politics. Whenever this was introduced in the smoking-room, he would leave abruptly, giving as an excuse for so doing, that any opinion he might give would very likely be misconstrued. President. Hayes, he said, deserved the esteem and confidence of all true lovers of the country while trying his experiment with the South.

His conversation ran largely upon his recollections of army life—not in a boasting, ostentatious way, but in a chatty, agreeable manner, which won the hearts of all his auditors, and convinced them that he was "every whit a gentleman." When one of the passengers referred to the failure of Carl Schurz and General Banks in the army, he said, smiling:

"Don't forget that they commenced Generals."

as Major

He spoke in high terms of the Confederate General Joe Johnston, whom he pronounced a very able commander. He knew Stonewall Jackson when a student at West Point. That subsequently famous officer was at that time a fanatic in religion, with decidedly hypochondriac tendencies. When a passenger asked what would have become of Jackson's fame had he encountered Sheridan, General Grant remarked that Sheridan had not only defeated Jackson, but destroyed him.

He spoke of Generals MacPherson, Sherman, and Sheridan. The first general was notable for a rare manliness of character, and his death was a national misfortune. He alluded to Sherman's wonderful genius, and said that the speech which Sherman delivered at Philadelphia when the Indiana left, was one of the finest he had ever heard. Sheridan he always mentioned with enthusiasm, and said that "little Phil." owed his elevation solely to his own abilities. Sheridan's appointment to the column of the cavalry after Pleasanton, was agreed upon by Halleck and himself; Halleck having discovered Sheridan's merit when serving as a quartermaster. Sheridan's battle of Five Forks was one of the finest events of the war, and resulted in a brilliant victory, when a less capable and energetic commander would have fancied himself defeated. The credit for this signal

victory was in a peculiar sense due entirely to General Sheridan.

As they drew near Queenstown, a heavy north-northwest gale, which had been predicted, met the steamer,

ARRIVAL OF THE INDIANA AT QUEENSTOWN..

which caused the sea to run very high. A deputation from Cork came alongside the Indiana in a steam-tug. Grant at that moment was leaning over the taffrail, quietly smoking his cigar; upon his head he wore a plain black silk hat. When the deputation saw him, they gave him three rousing Irish cheers. They offered him the hospitalities of Queenstown, remarking that every village and hamlet in Ireland had resounded with the praises of his name, and would welcome him with all the warmth and candor characteristic of the Irish people.

A little ex tempore reception was held in the captain's cabin, when the ex-President replied to the citizens of Queenstown, regretting that he could not then avail himself of their hospitality, but promising to return to

Ireland within a short time. His letters and cable dispatches were then delivered to him, the deputation withdrew, and the Indiana proceeded to Liverpool; hearty cheers being exchanged between the two vessels as long as they were within hearing distance.

There was a fair yachting breeze all the way up the Channel, the sun emerging occasionally and permitting a clear view of the Welsh coast. The Indiana reached Liverpool at half-past two, P. M., gaily dressed all over with flags. In honor of the arrival of the distinguished American, all the shipping in the Liverpool docks also exhibited a profuse display of bunting, the flags of all nations waving along the seven miles of water-front, presenting a magnificent coup d'œil.

General Badeau, the United States Consul-General at London; the Vice-Consul at Liverpool, representing. Mr. Fairchild, and a number of prominent London and Liverpool merchants, doing business with the United States, went out in three tenders and met the steamer a short distance down the Mersey. As the Indiana neared the docks, General Grant was seen standing on the bridge with the captain, acknowledging the cheers of the immense crowds which lined the water-front and every pier and vessel along the river.

General Grant and friends left the steamer in the tug, on which were the consuls and a few intimate friends. The Mayor of Liverpool, members of Common Council, a deputation of merchants, surrounded by an immense throng of people of both sexes, anxious to see the "great Yankee general," awaited the arrival of the tenders at the landing stage. As General Badeau's boat ran alongside the Custom House wharf, a tremendous, deafening cheer went up. The weather was truly delightful. A bright sunshine brightened the appearance of the thous