In the stables were four handsome bays, two for Mrs. Cleveland’s use and two for the President’s; sometimes, upon very special occasions, such as parades, the whole four would be driven together.
Among the interesting visitors to the United States during the winter and spring of 1893 was the eighteen-year-old Hawaiian princess, Kaiulani, who came with her guardian and his family to seek the aid of the United States in her behalf. Mr. and Mrs. Davis established themselves, their ward, their daughter, and secretaries at the Arlington Hotel. The youthful princess had been educated in England and therefore knew our language. She was a tall girl, pretty and graceful, with excellent taste in dress, and was greatly admired at the inaugural ball. During her visit she received much flattering attention. Mrs. Cleveland was impressed with her and extended various courtesies, formal and informal, to her. And considerable sympathy was expressed in her effort to accede to the Hawaiian throne, from which the Hawaiian people had deposed her aunt, Lilioukulani, in 1891.
Upon the departure of the Princess and her retinue for Europe, she sent a letter of appreciation through the press:
March, 1893.
To the American People:
Before I leave this land I want to thank all those whose kindness has made my visit such a happy one. Not only the hundreds of hands I have clasped nor the kind smiles I have seen, but the written words of sympathy that have been sent me from so many homes, have made me feel that whatever happens to me I shall never be a stranger to you again. It was to the American people I spoke, and they have heard me, as I knew they would, and now God bless you for it, from the beautiful home where your fair First Lady reigns to the dear crippled boy who sent me his loving letter and prayer.
Kaiulani.
However, her hopes for a throne were destined to disappointment. The United States sent a commissioner over to Hawaii about the time the Princess left; the Republic of Hawaii was proclaimed on July 4, 1894. Then annexation to the United States was sought and later achieved through a treaty of annexation passed by Congress in 1898.
The announcement early in 1893 that the Princess Infanta Eulalie, aunt of the small King of Spain (the present King was then about seven years of age), was coming with her husband, Prince Antoine d’Orleans, and a large suite of Spanish grandees to visit the World’s Columbian Exposition as an honour guest representing the Queen Regent of Spain, created considerable excitement. Much diplomatic correspondence was necessary before the details of her official reception by the President were satisfactorily settled. The difficulty was due to the lack of tact exhibited by Señor Maraugo in expressing the wishes of the President, who had no desire or intention whatever to omit any courtesy due the Royal Infanta that was consistent with our Republican form of government. The minister had allowed his fear that the President would fail in proper ceremony to become apparent, and in his anxiety to surround the Princess with the full panoply of her rank, had overlooked wholly the importance and prestige due to the President of the United States.
The Infanta arrived in New York May 19th and was received with a great display of ceremony by the Spanish Consul and the officers of the Spanish war vessels in New York.