Launch of the Monterey.
Tuesday, April 28, the President enjoyed an excursion on the bay on board the steamer Puebla. Following the Puebla came the cruiser Charleston, literally covered with bunting, and with booming guns, leading a long line of vessels. The presidential party was accompanied by Mayor Sanderson, Colonel Andrews, Supervisor Jackson, Colonel Marceau, Colonel Chadbourne, General Gibbon, Collector Phelps, Capt. C. M. Goodall, General Cutting, W. T. Coleman, Wm. Dargie, W. G. Harrison, W. D. English, Stewart Menzies, Judge Murphy, Judge Troutt, Barry Baldwin, A. E. Castle, A. Chesebrough, Martin Corcoran, W. D. Clarke, W. R. Hearst, J. G. Fair, W. J. Dutton, W. F. Goad, Wm. Harney, John P. Irish, J. D. Spreckels, Leon Sloss, Levi Strauss, A. W. Scott, W. S. Tevis, C. L. Taylor, J. H. Wise, C. E. Whitney, R. J. Wilson, James. D. Phelan, R. H. Pease, Arthur Rodgers, F. W. Sumner, F. J. Symmes, N. T. James, G. L. Bradner, C. F. Mullins, Geo. A. Moore, T. C. Grant, and other gentlemen of prominence.
In the afternoon, at the Union Iron Works, the President and Mrs. Harrison participated in the launch of the armored coast-defence vessel Monterey. Mrs. Harrison pressed the button which signalized the launching of the great ship, and Miss Gunn, daughter of J. O'B. Gunn, christened the ship with a bottle of California champagne. On the platform with the President's party were Henry T. Scott and Irving M. Scott, builders of the Monterey; master shipwright Geo. W. Dickie, Governor Markham, and other prominent people.
In the evening the distinguished visitors attended a banquet and reception at the mansion of Senator and Mrs. Leland Stanford. Nineteen couples sat down at the sumptuous table. They comprised the President and Mrs. Stanford, Senator Stanford and Mrs. Harrison, Governor Markham and Mrs. Lowe, General Wanamaker and Mrs. Benham, Secretary Rusk and Mrs. Markham, General Ruger and Mrs. Russell Harrison, Admiral Benham and Mrs. Morrow, Col. Lloyd Tevis and Mrs. Dimmick, Mayor Sanderson and Mrs. Boyd, Hon. M. M. Estee and Mrs. Moses Hopkins, Col. C. F. Crocker and Miss Houghton, Senator Felton and Mrs. McKee, Mr. Russell B. Harrison and Mrs. T. Hopkins, Col. J. P. Jackson and Mrs. Dodge, Mr. Geo. W. Boyd and Mrs. Hewes, Hon. W. W. Morrow and Mrs. Estee, Mr. Irving M. Scott and Mrs. Jackson, Major Sanger and Mrs. Gwin, Mr. H. L. Dodge and Mrs. Easton. In the Pompeiian parlor of the mansion the President, with Mrs. Harrison and Senator and Mrs. Stanford, received the thousand or more guests, who comprised the prominent society people of San Francisco and many other cities on the coast.
[REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 29.]
Leaving San Francisco on Wednesday, April 29, the President spent the morning at Senator Stanford's famous Palo Alto ranch. The first stop en route to Monterey was at Redwood City, where a large and enthusiastic crowd, including 200 school children, welcomed the President. Geo. S. Evans Post, G. A. R., C. D. Harkins, Commander, was present. Among the prominent citizens participating were: H. R. Judah, of San Mateo; Geo. C. Ross, W. R. Welch, Geo. W. Lovie, John Poole, Henry Buger, Sheriff Kinne, Marshal Jamieson, and Judge Geo. H. Buck, who delivered the speech of welcome and presented the President, on behalf of the citizens, with a polished redwood tablet two feet in width.
As the train moved off President Harrison said:
My Friends—I am sorry that I can say nothing more to you in the limited time we have than that I am sincerely thankful for your friendly demonstration.