Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1851-12-24
TIE REPORTER.
low a OFT =:
WEDNESDAY, DEC. "a, 1851.
Correspondence of the Reporter.
NEW YoRK, December Sth, 1856

New YoRK, December Sth, 1851.
Broadway on the morning of the sixth of De.
cember, the day appointed for the reception of
Kossuth, presented gay and busy appearance,
as my friend and fellow student Norton B. and
myself walked down to the Battery. Flags
were flying of the Hungarian Turkish and Ame-
rcan nations-decorations and transparencies
suspended from the buildings--mottoes stretch.
ed across the street-soldiers hurrying to join
their companies, and citizens running in every
direction, rendered the seeiie TO quiet far-
uester one Of peculiar interest. Most every
house had the Hungarian caLKs.xed, uhite and
green, displayed in some s..rrDf pirate decora-
tion, besides portraits of kossuth without num-
Der. At the Irving House was alarge transpa,
rency with the portraits of Washington, Lafay
cite, Kossuth and the Sultan Of Turkey; over
the gates of the city park were arches tasteful
ly decorated, and in front Of the City Hall was
raised platform with rich gilt ornaments from
which the hero was to address the public
Farther down was Barnum's Museum and Ge
nin's hat store making large display, and at
the Battery gates another arch was erected
with appropriate emblems and inscriptions.
At the gates of Castle Garden we were very
unccremoniously stopped for want of ticket,
which the keeper told us could be procured of
the city authorities; as they were rather nume-
rous to attempt hunting up We gave it up and
took stroll through the Battery to see the
sights. The military were beginning to collect
and the scene was quite enlivening. Drums
beatng-infantry falling into lne-companies
Of horse galloping to their stations-officers
hurrying to and fro, and appearing as energet-
ic as if upon the eve of great battle. Com
pany after company poured in seemingly with
end, and when one of the bands struck up that
favorite tune " Ben Bolt" and the drilling COM
menced, one could not help thinking "truly
these yankees are great people"
Animating as was the scene upon the Bate
ry, that which met the eye upon the harbor
was not less so. The flag Of Hungary, with
that of different nations, was suspended from
the nast-heads of the shipping that line the
East and North rivers, and several government
vessels lying off the Battery displayed the va
rious colors from deck topeak. 1t was a beau
tiful morning, calm and sunny, and the surface
of the bay was smooth except the agitation
caused by the numerous skiffs that were rowed
hither and thither around the scene of action.
Meantime the throng of citizens became more
dense, and as the hour of arrival passed by
without any appearance Of u,e steamer from
StateH island, the excftcInefy 0ct Sne .kretier
Hundreds mounted the trees and strained their
eyes to discover some indications of the ap-
oh, ,nr&1 &1,,, xo,,
ger watch a smoke was seen and steamer
hove in sight. Upon coming opposite to Bed
lows Island the cannon commenced firing a
salute which decided it as being the right one.
As she neared Governors Island the cannon
poured forth deafening welcome, which was
caught up by the government vessels and the
shipping along South street, as the boat passed
up the East river. In about quarter of an
hour she returned and rounded to in front of
the Battery, amid perfect thunder of cheers
from the multitude, and the roar of artillery
from the different government vessels. The
bands struck up " Hail Columbia" and the f.
ring continued until the boat landed at Castle
Garden. where kossuth was escorted ashore
waving his hat othc assemblage. The excl
ment was now intense, and the crowd of citi-
zens fearful. Fortunately my friend and ]
found room to stand upon one Of the benches
near the entrance. which elevated US above the
mass prevented our being crushed by the pres.
sure of such a vast concourse. The soldiery
were drawn up readyior the review, and all
eyes were eagerly watching for he approach
of kossuth from Castle Garden. He appeared
at length upon horseback, and the shouts that
greeted him were deafening. He was dressed
in plain black velvet with small black hat
and black feather. He is of dark complexion
wears heavy whiskers and moustache-hasa
very dark expressive eye, and is altogether
fine looking man. We are apt to have that
opinion of all persons who have made great
stir in the world, but aside from all that Kos
suth is noble looking mau. He was followed
by several Hungarians who accompanied him
over. and by several of the military officers and
city dignitaries, and passed within five or six
feet of where we We're standing.
sAsh he rode past the croyd started after. and
We were borne off almost upon their heads.
caught another glimpse Of ilims- he rode around
the lines reviewing the troops. apd then start
with friend b. for the gates. Wesfound them
closed, and as thousands were crowding to get
out We were consequently wedged in and most
numerically squeezed. We stood it as long as
persons could who had been deprived of their
dinners, and thinking. as Falstaf did, that
"the better part of valor is discretion" we
commenced making sundry retrograde demon
strations until we released ourselves, and Jump
ing the fence we proceeded up Broadway some
three or four squares, and finding an elevated
position awaited the passing of the procession.
Broadway. as far as the eye could see, was
living sea of heads and the windows and house
tops were filled with all ages, sexes and sizes.
After while the way was cleared and the
procession came on. Troop after troop of cav
airy passed their FURNISHED caps, bright swords
and equipments dazzling the eyes of the spec
tators. On they came accompanied by the most
splendid music, and reminding one of the gay
pageants of the days of chiyalry so minutely
described in the Chronicles Of Froissart Then
came long line Of infantry, with nodding
plumes and bristling bayoneas, and every vari-
ETY. Of dress. The military alone occupied one
hour in passing us. and we counted sixteen brass
bands with them. Behind these came Kossuth
in an open carriage drawn by six horses, all
cnveloped in thick cloud of dust raised by the
enthusiastic crowd that surrounded and fol
lowed him. He bowed and waved his hat to
the ladies that throngea the windows and wa