Cary T. Grayson Diary
Title
Cary T. Grayson Diary
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP17148
Date
1919 April 27
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Owing to the strenuous week that the President had passed, and in view of the fact that he had a conference all day last Sunday over the Italian situation, I begged him to cancel the conferences which he had previously arranged for including church. I told him that I had arranged a Sunday outing for him and Mrs. Wilson. He agreed to follow my prescription. He arose at about 10:30; had a light breakfast; and at 12:00 o’clock the President and Mrs. Wilson, Miss Benham and I went for a motor ride, arriving at 1:00 o’clock at a country place near Versailles, which is occupied by Mr. Bernard M. Baruch. It was a delightful change for the President to come unannounced to this little cottage for an informal lunch with no one to disturb him or even to notice that he was President of the United States. We all walked around the grounds and through the flower gardens, and it was a most restful relaxation hor him. After lunch Mr. Baruch was in Germany on business but returned in time for lunch, and much to his surprise and pleasure, he found us there. He joined us at lunch. No one else was present. At the luncheon Mr. Baruch discussed with the President some of the men prominent in French official life. No business of any kind was taken up.
I had arranged for Mr. Baruch’s French chauffeur to accompany us from the temporary White House to the countryplace as a guide. He was told to be at the President’s house promptly at 12:00 o’clock. When 12:00 o’clock arrived, the chauffeur failed to put in his appearance. The President, always punctual, was ready. We waited five minutes, and then the President said to me: “We will not wait any longer.” So I had to act as pilot through this net-work of roads, over which I had traveled only once. I succeeded, however, in getting to Mr. Baruch’s place without difficulty. The President and Mrs. Wilson were amazed at my being able to accomplish this.
After lunch at Mr. Baruch’s place we motored to Fontainebleau. We drove around the Palace, and went to the spot where Napoleon said farewell to the grenadiers of his Old Guard on April 20, 1914, just as he was leaving for Elba. On the main road between Paris and Fontainebleau is a monument. We visited the gardens and the pond in the rear of the Palace, and afterwards took an extended drive through the forest. We were told that at this place Napoleon met Pope Pius VII. It appears that the Pope was to reach Fontainebleau at a ceratin hour. Failing to put in his appearance at the hour fixed, Napoleon became very impatient and started on the road to Paris to meet him. He met him at the cross roads, in the center of which stands a monument.
I took the liberty of saying to the President that in respect to his appointments he resembles Napoleon; that is, he becomes very impatient when his callers are late. The President simply smiled. I recalled to the President the remark which he made on one occasion when William Jennings Bryan, who was Secretary of State, had and appointment with the President at two o’clock at the White House. After waiting about five minutes, and Mr. Bryan failing to put in his appearance, I noticed the President walking up and down the floor impatiently. The President at the time turned to me and said: “Doctor, I hate for any one not to be punctual with their engagements. I feel inclined now to make a few “cursory” remarks.”
While returning to Paristhe President slept for about a half hour. I also dozed off for a few minutes. The President, however, woke up first and said to me: “This is wonderful scenery we have just passed, isn’t it?” The remark seemed to amuse Mrs. Wilson.
We reached the temporary White House at six o’clock. The President, Mrs. Wilson and I had dinner at seven o’clock. He showed that the outing had refreshed him very much. It produced a healthy fatigue. At 8:30 the President saw General Pershing, the two remaining together for a half hour. General Pershing discussed with him the French military report which had been completed by Marshal Foch and presented to the French Cabinet on Thursday. Marshal Foch had told the French Cabinet that he could not be responsible for guarding the frontiers of France unless a real army was kept on the Rhine, and the President asked General Pershing to discuss with him exactly what was necessary.
I had arranged for Mr. Baruch’s French chauffeur to accompany us from the temporary White House to the countryplace as a guide. He was told to be at the President’s house promptly at 12:00 o’clock. When 12:00 o’clock arrived, the chauffeur failed to put in his appearance. The President, always punctual, was ready. We waited five minutes, and then the President said to me: “We will not wait any longer.” So I had to act as pilot through this net-work of roads, over which I had traveled only once. I succeeded, however, in getting to Mr. Baruch’s place without difficulty. The President and Mrs. Wilson were amazed at my being able to accomplish this.
After lunch at Mr. Baruch’s place we motored to Fontainebleau. We drove around the Palace, and went to the spot where Napoleon said farewell to the grenadiers of his Old Guard on April 20, 1914, just as he was leaving for Elba. On the main road between Paris and Fontainebleau is a monument. We visited the gardens and the pond in the rear of the Palace, and afterwards took an extended drive through the forest. We were told that at this place Napoleon met Pope Pius VII. It appears that the Pope was to reach Fontainebleau at a ceratin hour. Failing to put in his appearance at the hour fixed, Napoleon became very impatient and started on the road to Paris to meet him. He met him at the cross roads, in the center of which stands a monument.
I took the liberty of saying to the President that in respect to his appointments he resembles Napoleon; that is, he becomes very impatient when his callers are late. The President simply smiled. I recalled to the President the remark which he made on one occasion when William Jennings Bryan, who was Secretary of State, had and appointment with the President at two o’clock at the White House. After waiting about five minutes, and Mr. Bryan failing to put in his appearance, I noticed the President walking up and down the floor impatiently. The President at the time turned to me and said: “Doctor, I hate for any one not to be punctual with their engagements. I feel inclined now to make a few “cursory” remarks.”
While returning to Paristhe President slept for about a half hour. I also dozed off for a few minutes. The President, however, woke up first and said to me: “This is wonderful scenery we have just passed, isn’t it?” The remark seemed to amuse Mrs. Wilson.
We reached the temporary White House at six o’clock. The President, Mrs. Wilson and I had dinner at seven o’clock. He showed that the outing had refreshed him very much. It produced a healthy fatigue. At 8:30 the President saw General Pershing, the two remaining together for a half hour. General Pershing discussed with him the French military report which had been completed by Marshal Foch and presented to the French Cabinet on Thursday. Marshal Foch had told the French Cabinet that he could not be responsible for guarding the frontiers of France unless a real army was kept on the Rhine, and the President asked General Pershing to discuss with him exactly what was necessary.
Original Format
Diary
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1919 April 27, WWP17148, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.