henry willard backed franklin pierce when he was running for president and when he won, he became the first president to visit the willard hotel. the willard's would host many presidents, and since then the hotel was called the residence of presidents. in addition to having congressmen, senate, and businessman stay at the hotel, the willard tried to attract foreign dignitaries, especially the japanese delegation. the japanese had never left their homeland and were coming to the united states to visit with president buchanan to sign the treaty of amnesty and commerce. at the time, there was no blair house to house foreign dignitaries, so that task fell to the willard. congress appropriated $50,000 for the willard to refurbish and redecorate to accommodate the guests from japan. carpeted, were re- there was a pantry built in and an entire floor of 60 rooms was given to the delegation. the japanese into through the ladies entrance on 14th street and the security was tight to ers, what any annoy they called -- of the time. the japanese found our customs of bathing in private, even our clo