Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-30
CITIZENS COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.


zens Of Washington gave complimentary dinner,
at Coleman's Hotel, to portion of the two Houses
of Congress and one or two other guests. Mr..
SEAToN, the Mayor of the city, presided on the
casion, and the number which sat down to table
was near one hundred. Mr.. G. w. Blackwell, the
proprietor of the hotel, superintended the table in
person, aided by Mr.. Coleman and the intelligent
and efficient steward of the establishment, Mr..
Blanchard The getting up of the dinner was cha
racterized by all those qualities which are canla-
ted to delight the epicure all the delicacies of the
season (and many others which no person dreamed
of tasting in the month of December) were collect
ed together, and the display of wines was only
equalled by their flavor. There was also an ac-
complished band of musicians in attendance, who
performed during the banquet great variety of ele-
CANT and popular airs.
The party took their seats at the table at half
past six o'clock, and after the cloth was removed
Mr.. SEAroN rose, and, addressing himself to the Hon.
SPEAKER of the House Of Representatives sitting next him.
said believe, sir that in the honorable body which
you preside, what called personal explanations pv
legged questions. If may shelter myself under tina, rule
would beg permission offer word of explanation
honoed guests this occasion 1.-THE SPEAKER said smi
ing, by unanimous consent the Mayor may proceed Much
aght Hearing objection, then, beg say that the
citizens of Washington entertain grateful of the
liberal and patena spirit manifested for their interests by the
present Congress its last session. 1t would become the
occasion for into particulars and therefore, passing
by many other evidences of their kind regard will only refer
the manner the liberal manner in which the wishes Of the
city treated in the prompt and unanimous passage through
both Houses of the charter of the city, which had been adopt
ed by citizens and submitted Congress for
That measure important city, only passed
with promptness and unanimy but received the ready
ton of Congress in the entire form in which it offered
them by the city thus showing not only willingness to
attend to their wants. but confidence and good will highly
gratifying to our community.
This confidence in citizens and kind regard for their
Wishes inspired amongst them, ! have before said,
the most grateful feelings towards the present Congress These
feelings prompted the citizens OF Washington to offer to their
friends in Congress tribute of respect but ccum-
stances prevented their extending this tribute far they
would have desired.
Ply who could fill the smallest house with true friends
1t is the good fortune OF the citizens Of Washington the
present me viewing the present Congress in that light
to be able find in the largest house for the
Der of theirs Not being able therefore, comprehend the
whole Of Congress in the testimony Of respect which they
wished topay, and compelled omit part only they
eced for the compliment the committees of thetwo Houses to
which the affairs of the city specially confded extend
ing Of the former members Of those committees and
few of the senior members Of each House who have always
been distinguished the friends Of the District It is thus
sir that you see only part of our honored friends in
Congress here present And having discharged the duty
for which will trespass upon you longer than
offer to my eow-citizens present, this sentiment
The Trtieth Congress- Honor and harmony its
sells. happiness and prosperity to its members Appause
After Mr.. SEAToN had taken his seat, the Speak
er of the House of Representatives, Hon. ROBERT
C. WINTHROP, was loudly called for, when he rose
and, having at first payully proposed to avoid the
responsibility Of the occasion by calling for Reports
from the Committee for the District Of Columbia,
proceeded to speak nearly as follows:
greatly honored, Mr.. Mayor and Gentlemen in being
called respond the presence of many older and
ADLER public servants, the sentiment just proposed thank
you, personally for the privilege Of participating these agree
able festivities and thank you officially, for the compl
which you have offered the branches e the Ma
onal Legislature. am sincerely glad that this hirteth
Congress of the United States however distinguished or un
distinguished may have been in other respects has been
prompted do much that liberal and acceptable for the
District Of Columbia You very little indebted for these
appropriations who, under all ordinary circumstances
OF legislation, deprived both of voice and but can
truly say that there to which have affixed ihatat-
testing signature, which all that is LEFT me, with ter
satisfaction.
do not know however, that members Of Congress are In
titled TO any very high commendson for their beraty to dis
District IL Is beraiy which them nothing Thy
afford to be generoushey certainly afford TO he
jus-wh other peoples money and especially whn
comes to them IN such ample streams under the suspds
OF the honorable Secretary at your side, (Mr. WALKEE
Laughter They have, moreover, the strongest person.
interest in promoting the welfare and prosperity Of this pad
cuar part Of the District The presence Of the distinpush
Senator from Missouri Mr. BESToS) reminds US that to maI
OF them this city their horne for inconsiderabe part ii
their lives. And many Of hem we know, would L
glad to make their home for much longer period than thu
do they could only succeed in securing the lnboken col
fdence and support Of their constituents he has DONE I'd
term Of thirty years. Not few Of US live here and not
few OF US, am sorry to say, die here We paake Of al
your advantages and all your Disadvantages your stree
rough and ou Of repair, bones shaken well al
yours and necks liable to be broken II they are bad
lighted at night likely you stumble and fs
into the ditch And you have no good schools our chill
den as well as your own may be deprived OF seasonae and
satisfactory education.
But apart altogether Mr. Mayor from any selfish eonsie
raions Of this Sort we all ought to take PRIDE and trust
that we all do take PRIDE Americans and as pa,ro,s h;
the prosperity and welfare Of the capital of the republic Most
heartily dol respond TO the sentiment expressed by the seor
tary Of the Treasury, in his letter published this morning
communicating Congress the annual report Of the Land
Office, and IN which the patronage Of the National Govern
merit invoked for tie public schools of this District Most
cordially do concur with him in the idea which he suggests
mat this city should be made fit representative of the cy-
zaon and refinement and true greatness Of country II
already perhaps furnishes pretty fair sample OF the country
IN one respect As city Of magnificent distances Il adj
miraby illustrates the almost Unreasonable ertents over which
the republic Is rapidly reaching But 1t should portray 10
miniature something Of what country ought 10 be- and Of
what by the blessing Of God is TO be- morally as well AZ
physically Its arts and Sciences its literature and learning
should have their embems and illustrations here Here bond
be the model schools, the model charities the model libraries
the model prisons Of land the model institutions az
every sort for education, benevoence reformation and 20
vernment. Whatever American architecture can do sho1a
tr nwka ttn1 So IL