The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-03-23

DINNER TO Ex-PREsIDENr PoLK-Yesterdny
afternoon, little after six o'clock, large COM
pany of the citizens of New Orleans met at the
St. Louis Hotel and sat down to a dinner prepared
by the committee of three Municipalities, and
given in honor of the Ex President. Mayor Cross
man presided, and his right was seated the dis
tingushed guest Of the city. After the soup and
earlier dishes had been partaken Of the president
of the feast rose and proposed the health of the
" President of the United States.'' This toast
drank with much enthusiasm, was followed BY
one to the "Army and Navy" Gen. Gaines, be.
ing loudly called upon, responded in brief and
excellent manner and then the Mayor gave the
81 Guest of the city, Ex-Presidept Polk" There
upon Mr.. Polk addressed the chairman and COM
pany, and concluded with sentiment expressive
of his admiration for New Orleans, as being the
emporium of the commerce of all the West The
Ex- President, though appearing somewhat worn
by the cares and tolls of his high office, spoke in
clear, firm voice that filled the large dining room
of the st. Louis; and the substance of his remarks
were of the ittest and most appropriate character
lie spoke of the great events in which he had been
Unexpectedly called on to play so large part ;
said that the course he had pursued now formed a
portion of the history of the country and expressed
his perfect confidence in the conclusions his fell
low-citizens would form in regard to his motives
and conduct during his eventful administration.
He concluded by saying how much gratifed he
was at the reception now given him by the people
of New Orleans when he came among them pri-
vate citizen, returning to his quiet home and de-
pfived of all the splendors and emolupents of pat
ronage and power. Mr.. Polk sat down amidst the
Io,,l r IL
company The chairman next gave the Gov
ernor of Louisiana )" and Gov. johnson answered
in short speech, which he concluded by offering
the health of the Lady of our guest, Mrs. Polk -
Then the Mayor gave the Health of Mr.. Clay -
and afterwards The memory of the Heroes of
the late Mexican war;" Several volunteer SEN
timents We're offered by Mr. Bernard Marigny,
Col. p. w. Farrar, Mr.. Fabre and others. Among
the rest, Mr.. Dimtry, prefacing his toast by few
appropriate remarks, gave the Health of the once
Captain, but now justly promoted, Col. Duncan. -
Col. Duncan, being called for, said that he was
not in the habit of wasting his fire. and as there
were Others present much better fitted than him
self for entertaining the company with speech,
he would not take up the time of the assembly with
any remarks of his own.
As Mr.. Polk had fixed on o'clock for the time
of his departure, the company rose at that hour
The festival, although short, was the most agree
able and hilarious character. The viands and
wines were of the choicest sort, the guests were
all in the best of humors, and the whole enter
tainment passed off in the happest manner After
rising from dinner, the Ex-President was escorted
with music and by large cortfge to the Caroline
E. Watkins, bound for Nashville. May he have
a prosperous voyage to the home he has chosen in
Tennessee, and may he find rest from his official
tolls and troubles in the circle of friends and &C.
quainances, who await his arrival in the City of
Rocks %