JULIA DENT GRANT: "FAIR, FAT AND FORTY" PART II
The social highlight of the Grant Administration was the marriage of eighteen-year-old Nellie to the wealthy British nephew of the famous actress Fanny Kemble. The event was the center of national attention. It was the first White House wedding in thirty-two years, and a golden opportunity for the reporters covering Washington. Harper’s Bazaar described the East Room as being transformed into “a perfect bower of bloom.” Nellie’s dress was reported to cost as much as $5,000. While the wedding breakfast was served in the White House for five hundred guests, crowds lined the streets outside hoping to get a glimpse of the couple or other famous guests. The Grants accompanied the newlyweds to New York on the first leg of their European honeymoon, extending the festive coverage. The New York Graphic announced the day after the wedding, “It is of no use. We are utterly unable to meet the demand for today’s issue.”
Although Grant liked the women around him to be dependent creatures, Julia sometimes showed her spirit. When the Grants first moved into the White House, Julia determined to keep their Washington House for the family. Eventually, she gave in and the family moved into the White House. When Grant sold their home without consulting her, she refused to sign the papers, and the deal fell through. The next time Grant found a buyer, he discussed it with her first, and she happily signed the papers, having won her point.
Julia thoroughly enjoyed her tenure in the White House, and was looking forward to a third term. Grant himself was not. One Sunday afternoon, the Cabinet called on the President, and they had a private meeting. Julia realized that it was odd for the entire Cabinet to appear without an appointment, and waited for the meeting to end to learn of the purpose for the meeting. After the Cabinet left, she went into the President’s office to see him placing a note in an envelope and giving it to a messenger. She demanded to know what the meeting was about. Grant took his time lighting his cigar, and then told her he had just announced he would not run for a third term. Julia demanded that the messenger be recalled, but Grant told her that was why he had taken his time to light the cigar, so the letter could not be recalled.
Julia, who very much wanted to stay in the White House, asked Grant why he had not read the letter to her first. Grant replied, “Oh, I know you to well. It never would have gone if I had read it.” Julia cried, “Oh, Ulys. Was that kind to me? Was it just to me?” Grant quietly said, “I do not want to be here another four years. I do not think I could stand it.” So Julia learned that her time at the head of Washington society was coming to an end.
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