Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-09-10


once a fortnight during The session. without
distinction ofpcrsons. We reachnd the White
House at nine, the court Tor rather the
groundsl was filed with carriages, and the 8
company was arrriyg In great numbers On
this occasion, two of three additional dfA@ing-
rooms were opened, though the frugoIity Of
Congress has prevented them from finishing
the principal reception room Of the building.
will acknowledge surprise at finding the as
semblage so resi- eetable in air. dress and dc.
pertinent The evening" at the White
House, or the drawing room, as il is some
times pleasantly called is, in fact, collection
Of all classes Of people who choose 10 go 10
the trouble and expense Of appearing in dres.
ses suited to an ordinary evening party. l.
am not sure that even dress is much regard.
ed for certainly saw good many men in
their boots. The females were all neatly and
properly attired. though few we're ornamen
ted with jewelry or course, the poorer aud
laborng classes Of the community would find
| little or no pleasure in such scene. They
consequently Stay away.
| squeezing through the CROW d, VIC achiev-
ed passing 10 a part Of the room, where Mrs
Monroe was standing, surrounded by bevy
Of female friends. After making our bows
here, we sought the President The latter
had posted bimself at the top Of the room.
where be remained most Of the evening, sha-
king hands with all who approached. Near
him stood ali the Secretaries, aud a great
number of the most distinguished men Of the
nation. individuals Of importance tom oil
parts of the Uniou were also here, and were
employed in the manner usual to such
scenes"
There was great improvement in society
at Washington, both as TO numbers, style,
and etiquette, during the Presidency of M.
. Monroe families of the Secretaries, viz:
Messrs Adams, Crawford, Calhoun, Thomp-
son and Southard, aud those Of other officers
, o. government, added much to the brilIisncy
and attraction of the social circles at the me-
t tropolis A kind and liberal spirit prevailed
during The "era Of good feeling" at the peri
, cd OF this administration; and on the 4th Of
March, John Quincy Adams succeeded Mr..
Monroe uuder favorable auspicies.
: Mr.. Adams, as Secretary of State, had re-
:, sided at Washinton during the eight Yeas Of
7 Mr.. Monroe's term. His wife was highly ac-
0 complshed. and well qualified to fulfill the
+ duties of the new station TO which
she was called. Her maiden-name was
Louisa Catherine Johnson.-She was daugh-
! ter of Joshua johnson, Esq, Of Maryland. who
: resided in London when she was married TO
J. Mr.. Adams, in May, 1907 By him she had
S four children, three sons and one daughter,
, OF whom one only-Charles F. Adams. Of
Boston-survived the parents-The writer
= of this sketch attended one of Mr.. Adams
= levees. in January szs, when there was a
y large and brilliant assemblage at the White
e House. Mrs. Adams received the company
e with grace and dignity. Tea, coffee. and 9th.
J. or light refreshments were served to the
IS crowd ofguestsr this custom went sson
: out of use.
e General jackson came into the Presidency a
e widower, and childess. Mrs Jackson died in
e Tennessee. short time after his election, and
!, before his departure from the Hermitage to
!, Washington. The absence Of any presiding
h lady, and the peculiar situation of the Presi
e dent in bis domestic relations, rendered the
White House gloomy and unattractive in the
S early part of General Jackson's Presidency
}, But his adapted son and private secretary,
IS Andrew jackson Doneson, having married !
e lady of Tennessee, Mrs. Donelson received
' company al the Presidential mansion for the
A whole or part of General Jackson's last term