Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-01-11
TO the Editors Of Tho Enquirer.
WISIIN6ToN Jam 9Th, lS1

"
TO TIE Editors Of Ms Enquirer.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9Th, le4o.
To those away from the city il would DC, Ptf-
haps, amusing 10 have briet description oil Inc
scenes Of New-years day. AIhO The day was
usbered 10 with cloud and mud and gloom, yet II
was a national holiday-a day set apart for all
kinds OF enjoyment and display, and many hearts
had, no doubt, lhrobbed for its arrival The
President and Cabinet, from long usage, were
expected to hold their annual levees, al which The
assembled crowds could consregaie. see greatness
and parlake Of the refreshments offered. Hence,
al an early hour, many were seen vending their
way in parties 10 the White House-some in pri-
vale carriages some in hacks, which had been
secured al ene rmous prices, and many on foot
Upon arriving, you found all The avenues OF APP
proach crowded 10 excess, although steps had
been erected TO the windows 10 facilitate ingress
and egrcss. Alter pressing in, you found the Pre-.
sidenl Standing in The blue room, attended by the
Deputy Marshal and surrounded by some OF The
Cabinet, receiving all with a bensnan! smile
and shake oil the hand and jus, in the rear, was
the PIcsdentess BY Col. Knox Walker, 10 intro
ducc and attended by some OF The ladies' OF her
acquaintance
The courtly Vice President an Messrs Bu-
chanan and johnson, The former paying pariicu-
parenly taking as much pleasure in The imp0-
sing array a. The humbiesi individual. Passing
into the famous east room were beheld The foreign
ministers and attaches, in full regalia, and do
Gems Of our own officers, among whom were
Quiiman and Shields, The laIler The observed OF
all observers, and followed by The crowd as Tho
he were three.aled bashaw. Verify she is a
child OF destiny" What pity he is not native
born, so he might constilulionally aspire 10 the
Presidency or Vice Presidency; Tor such is The
sensation he produces every where, that he could
aspire 10 any thing. Many elegant ladies, Sena-
tors members Of Congress, and Judges OF The
Supreme Court, all entertained and animated by
the music Of splendid band, completed The PIC
ture al the Presidents
Leaving the White House, The crowds crossed
line street 10 the Vice Presidents, where each
was received with smile SO kind, afTable and
cordial, that the impression was al once created
OF being in the mansion OF an old Virginia gen.
tleman, who had LETT nothing undone 10 render
every one welcome and The visit agreeable. In
the centre OF The room, upon circular table was
q mammoth plum-cake, which was sliced Of by
one OF his lovely daughters, with becoming grace
and moGesiy, as tho unconscious OF being daugh-
Ter oil a magnaie ofthe land and IN the adjoining
room werc The finest OF wines and other refresh
menis.
From the Vice Presidents, The next visit was
TO judge Mason's, where, although he was una.
voidably absent The visile:s were entertained
win various refreshments, especially esg.nog,
after the Virginia fashion. Thence 10 Mr.. Sec
reiary Walkers, whose iii health prevented his
attendance, bat The company was received by
his lady in the moss gracious manner, and enter
,ained with all varieties Of refreshments, both
eating and drinking, ur stairs and down, in bound
less pruiIsiOn. Thence 10 Governor Marcy's,
where you found him entirely ne anoTphosed,
from short and b.uni 10 polite and Cignifed,
dressed in a new sui, OF black, with his accom-
rli,hcd LADY. receiving the company, and enter
tanning il with al! The refreshments OF the day
Thence 10 Mrs. Madison's, 10 the Attorney Gen.
era!'s, Mir Adams, and the residence OF MIR
Buchanan, who was found among The missing,
and his mansion not open to visiiors-and thence
IT, the Hon Cave Johnson's where all were re-
ceived with the utmost Kindness and hospitality,
and entertained with all that could tempt the ap.
petite OF crafty the taste. Col. Benton, The Sec
retary Of the Senate, and many other gentlemen,
entertained their ireGds in similar manner:
but none in hi, could excel Inc taste and profit
sion displayed al The residence OF J. c. Rives,
Eso, where the most exquisilcly fixed ofl table
sroaned under The weight OF refreshments, ard
the company received by Mr.. r. with his bluni,
honest cordially, and BY his truly elegant lady,
with grace and charm peculiarly her own
Indeed, in all these entertainments, it is lo'ori
Gus, that The gentlemen, however hOspiiabie, can
not pretend 10 emulate the ladies in eracousne.s
OF manner. l..