Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-11-20
IL IL Gems SINGLE

I
c,sion OF laying the foundation stone %
, The New Exchange, for which the Empc.
rm the last, year appropriated two mill.
pms of RubIes. AT this cerrmonp the
Emperor, Emfress, and Dowager En-
press, and the whole Imperial family and
Court attended, aud honoied TWO hundred
iof the principal Merchants with their pre-
sence, at one of the most magnificent en-
tertainments which has been known in
Russia--This feast was given in the Hall
of the presen, Exchange, which was 6s-
ted up in slile of grea, elegance for The
purpose, the flags ofvarions nations were
iuaicious,y arranged, end formed an APP
propriaie part of the decoration those of
the United States we're observed TO occu-
! by the most conspicuous positions, over
! the door By which the Emperor and
Court entered, and immediately in front
OF his Majesty three Ensigns of Russia,
America, and England, med festoon,
the Russian Ensign in the centre, Ane.
rlcan on It's right, and England on its left.
HIS Majesty was sslu.ed on his entry into
the Hall by band OF martial music, and
on being seated, choir of one hundred
performers, executed in most impress
s:ye stile, an Ole which was composed
/ FOR the occasion; on the health OF The
Emperor being given, the music struck
forth in all the grandeur suited TO the oc-
casion, and the enthusiaam, animated the
hbation was re. echoed from tie artillery
OF the Admiralty, in glorious iribu;e 10
the mos. beloved of Nonatchs. The En-
peror was extremely free and afable,
converstti @ith number Of Merchants,
and testified the highest qualification. AT.
ter remaining at table an hour aud ha,f.
the Imperial guests retired amidst the al
piause orlheir happy hosts, the-- Discharge
of cannon, and the aCclarnations OF an in.
Vulnerable popnlace, which rem, the ri,
with shouts oil long live our beloved mo.
march, long live their Maicsties.
On the 18th of July. the Emperor re-
turned the Compliment by inviting the
whole OF the mercantile body, and the
principal foreign Consuls, who were pre-
sent at the preceding least, TO an eater
lainment at the Taurdan palace; where,
as before the. whole Imperial family were
assembled, and dined together. Aiter
dinner their Majesiies retired to the Hall
OF Audience, where they received the
compliments OF several of The principal
Merchaptsvho were presented by the Mi
mister OF Ccmmerce en- the occasion, and
also those Of the respective Consuls pre-
sent.
These, ~ believe are the firstins,ances
of a monarch OF Russia dining with cor
poraiton OF Merchants. The present
Emperor who is the idol of mis- subjects,
animated by the most laudatle views 10
their happiness, is ever active in IT,.
means OF giving il efIeGl.
The Improvement ofthe Empire in all
its departments, and the commerce &c
Russia occupies his steady application,
which has but too little occupied the al
tention OF has predecessors, promises ua.
der his auspices 10 attain a rank with That
of'the irst nations of The world.
The high consideration with which the
commerce of America is Re arde q IN Rus
81 is ev'nced 10y the position in which
their flags were placed al The fras, Civ, y
al the Exchange, and lhe distinguished
attention which we find its Consul TO have
received al the Court of st. Petersburg,
and which was extended 10 him i,s "a most
pointed mauqer Oh these public occasions,
are ample Testimonies Of the respect en-
tsTained by the Emperor Tor the United
States.