The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-03
Dinner 70 Generals Quitman and Shields.

Dinner to General. au,tman and Shields.
We had prepared report of the festivities in honor OF
these distinguished generals Fuers Hotel on FRIDAY
last but the National Intelligencer has procured
fuller and more detailed account than that furnished to
us prefer adopt the report OF our contemporary
The company with their distinguished guests sat down
TO table o'clock The Mayor of the city presided
MAJOR General Jesup, of the army and Commodore ar
ringon, of the navy, officiating Vice Presidents,
sisted BY the other members Of the committee
dent, and General Shields on his left On the right and
left of the guests were seated the Vice President OF the
son, Col Knox Walker, Hon. James Thompson, and
the Hon, s. A. Douglas.
In other parts OF the room observed the Hon. c. e.
Anterior, A. p. Butler n S Foote and Alpheus Fech,
of the Senate and the Hon Thomas b King, OF Geor-
ga, F. w Lord of New York. Robert Smith, of Illinois,
John A. MeClernand OF Illinois, II L. w. Hill; Of Ten
don, of Alabama, James A. Black of South Carolina,
II liannanson and Emile La Sere, of Louisiana, W. A.
Richardson, OF Illinois, and Jacob Thompson of Mssis
Also, Hon Selah II. Hobbe, First Assistant Postmas
ter General Hon VIM J. Brown Second Assistant Post
master General Gen Gibson, Commissary General
OF Subsistence Col A. T. llayne, OF South Carolina; Hon
Rich NJ Young, Commissioner of the General Land Office
Hon R II Gillet Register OF the Treasury; Dr. HE'S
ke Uped States Hon OSn late charge
President of the Bank of the Metropolis; w. w. Corco
ran, esq George w Riggs, esq. Pursers slamm Har
United States navy Ds Miller, Blake, Humphreys, SC
The company having been seated, the distinguished
guests were escorted into the
MAJOR General Quitman, supported by his honor the
mayor, w W. Seaton, and the Hon. +. W. Lord, OF the
House OF Representatives
Brig Gen Shields, supported by the Hon. Thos Butler
HE Hon a' G. Nj Dallas, Vice President of the United
States by the Hon Revedy Johnson and the Hon. James
Thompson.
Hon Jas Buchanan, by Hon. S. A. Douglas and Com.
Warrington, &c.
Unavoidable circumstances prevented the attendance
of eXPesdent Adams, the Chief Justice of the Supreme
Secretary of the Treasury the Secretary of War, and
othersall Of whom had also been invited The size OF
the dining hall limited the number OF covers to little more
than one hundred, and every seat was filled
The banquet rich and tasteful and did great credit
to Mr. Fuller and his new and excellent hotel:
The Marine Band was in attendance, and added greatly
to the pleasure OF the evening.
The dinner having been disposed Oh
The President rose and said, that they had got
to resting point in the FEAST with their leave he would
offer the first of series OF sentiments which had been
hastily thrown together by the Committee OF Manage
ment for their acceptance proceeded to announce
the toasts.
The toast to the President of the United States having
been drunk
The Hon. S. A. Douglas rose and said:
Mr. PRESIDENT: The committee appointed wait the
President OF the United States and invite him join
this festive occasion, have directed inform you that
sured the committee that the warmes emotions of his
heart inspired him with the desire accept the invitation
cessos, well the duties and propreties Of his
ton, Inhibited him the pleasure of tesyipg in his
by our distinguished guests upon field OF battle in vind
cation of the honor of our common country. [Appause]
The toasts the heats of the departments being next
gven the Secretary of State rose to speak in acknowf
edgment, and addressed the company as follows
Mr.. PRESIDENT This honor, you, is entirely
expected. think coming before my beters. Laugh
teri Speeches should first be made by the distinguished
gentlemen who guests, rather than by the humble
gratifed the honor You have conferred upon me and
as breyity is the soul of wit, and there many
distinguished speakers here than am, shall offer
but few remarks.
i rejoice meet distinguished guests. IAppause,l
The heart Of every true American must swell with graft
ude Tor the honor which they have conferred upon their
pd a aaEs san %o
that could be construed political-l repeat have
ha the wo y % ha
deeds OF our glorious army Tremendous applause ]
Sss no s @ no~ IN nrops s
tread the soil OF foreign land with more pride and
glorious, and unexnmped and astounding OF the
Mexican war tRenewed applause Gentlemen, there is
comprehend il There different professions there, and
the profession of arms study from youth upwards and
from the woolsack" of State and once become dis
nguished general without studying the art and mys-
educate general for the field Of battle think the land
office" is the most extraordinary tLaugher But there
and every pursuit Of life, and hop step, and jump they go
the field battle, and areveerans once. daughter
Aud what still distinguishes them is, that after the
victory has been their cemency and their mercy win
the hearts of the van1uished [Appausel Indeed, from
all have from Mexico, learn that hard though
get the - Halls OF the Montezunas, the Next
have fallen deeply in love with them, will be still
harder to get them away again [Laughterl
suppose, Mr.. President, have said enough. Will
make but other observation. lament sincerely
that all this glory has been purchased by the LIES blood OF
the bestmen that ever adorned any country and IN con-
Guiding these few remarks permit me to give you
y"The memory of Gen. Hamer."
The toast was drunk standing in solemn silence.
The band then played the Dead March in Saul
The president here read the letters of apology from
dry invited gentlemen
The president then rose, and, after few Introductory
remarks, announced the following toast
sour distinguished guest An example as ilusrous as
characteristic OF the easy transition of the useful citizen at
home to the efficient soldier in the feld.'
The toast was received with burst of enthusiastic
paudits, which continued for time, which re-
newed with great vehemence Gen. Quitman rose to
acknowledge the compliment. Band. 'Hail to the
Chief"]
Gen Qutnan spoke nearly as follows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT GENTLEMEN In place. and from no
presence would a compliment TO me be more highly APP
preciated than it is here, surrounded by those
whom the country has honored and who by their services
honor the country esteem highly the distinguished
compliment which, with my gallant fellow soldier, you
have bestowed but, gentlemen, the occasion would
be Inappropriate to indulge in the only kind of public
speaking which accusomed-that of argument and
discussion of practical affairs. will therefore confne my
sell solely TO lew remarks which feel called
by the feelings and emotions this presence
TO express. Applause
see around me those of all parties-hose whom have
learned In distant portion of this Union regard among
the great and bright lights Of this country To receive such
response to which fear that scarcely adequate Zap
plause.