The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-05-24
BY THE SOUTHERN MAIL.


WASHINGTON, 22d May, 1874
Last night there was large and elegant party at
Mrs Ex-PresIdent Madison's, attended by the Sc
cretaries OF State, and Of the Navy, Postmaster.
General, and Attorney General, the late Secretary
OF the treasury, Mr.. Spencer, many of the Diplo-
matte CORPS; Mr. and Mrs Barrow, both hne spe-
clmens OF Americanism, lately returned from his
mission to Portugal; several members OF Congress;
many ladies' and altogether very distinguished
assemblage, who were elegantly entertained with
the best of viands, old wines the fruits of the sea-
son, and all other physical, well as moral attrac-
tons of the excellent hostess.
In the course of the evening, the following pi-
quaint p,orceau of conversation occurred between
The British Minister aud the Hon. Charles J In
gersoll, who with his brother, Joseph We're also
present.
A gentleman OF Washington, formerly American
Secretary of Legation at Mexico, was descrlblngln
glowing terms Ia Mr. Pakenham the beauty OF a
lady of New York, who, he said, was one OF the
most splendid women he had ever seen-so much
so that she reminded him of whst he supposed q
queen might or ought 10 be ''She makes one
Queen Zenobia" But" said Mr.. c. J. Ingersoll.
"Wbat was her Majesty, Queen Zenoblas, color
Might IL not have been the -ublect Of animated
coTespondence between Mr.. Pakenham and Mr..
Calhoun 2" Yes" rejolned Mr.. Packenham, ad-
dressing himself TO Mr.. Ingersoll, "and you, per-
| haps, would have written report upon it," Pre-
sently after, his Exceency added, "You bore very
| hard upon us in that Report" "Oh, no." said
| MIR lngersol, ''you must not think So" "Yesyou
did," repeated Mr.. Paken ham, ''you bore very hard
upon us !" and then, according TO our report OF
the conversation, IT ended
| His Exec llency, long accustomed to manage the
| Mexlcans Is said to be very free his colloquial
| commentaries upon the doings and sayings Of men,
| bers of the Cabinet and members Of Congress. He
may be very profound diplomatist, but to all
terror appearances bothlin person, and on paper, he
is any thing else.
| II is reported-and is very probably true-that
the Pennsy lvana delegation will feel constrained,
on the ground of their Instructions alone, to vote
| for Mr.. Van Buren, the first ballot; but, should
| two third vote be required it is hardly possible
| for Mr.. Van Buren, to get the nomination on hrst
ballot, and in that event the Pennsylvania delega-
ton piH uote against him, being satisfied that his
is utterly hopeless in their State, which with
any new man could be easily carried.
The city IS swarmipg with delegates, 5. b;
came directly BY The way Of Nashville, where he
called on Gen Jackson He says that in the course
OF his conversation with the Old Hero, he express
edSto him his embarrassment as to the vote. he
should give at the Baltimore Convention, in conse
quence of Van Buren's opposition to Annexation
He says that Gen Jackson, lifting his long skinny
finger, replied most emphatlcay-" You must for
| sake your friend, aud cling to your country"
| There is still another letter in town from Old
| Hickory intended for publication, and which will
be published in the course of two days.
The Nashville Union. Gen. Jackson's organ, is
| out strong against both Benton and Van buren, IL
| has caused much talk here at Washington. s. b.
WASHINGTON, ed May, 1874.
Mr. CHoATE finished one Of his poecal anti-war
| speeches to-day in Secret Session, before the
Senate Mr.. McDuffie is expected to follow.
So far as one can Judge the tide of opposition
seems to set still stronger to-day against Van Blu
rem than il has done.
| No farther news tonight. >. Is.