Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-01-13
spIkITOF THE MOR MING PIKE
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

sented fully as animated a tide of mortality as
that on New Years Day, aud was in many re-
spects more brilliant and interesting The
President, as was the case at the New Year 5
reception, was looking remarkably well, and
not whit the worse at the end of his two
hours ordeal. The introductions to the Presi
dent were made by Marshal Hoover, assisted
by Deputy Marshal Phillips; and those to Miss
Lane by Mr.. Commissioner Blake.
Between nine and ten o'clock the East Room
presented q scene of wonderful life and bril-
hancy. Perhaps there never before in the
history of the country was exhibited such ka-
leidoscope display of colors such Babel of
tongues; and such a jostling together of incon-
gruous elements-pOlitical, social and other
wise Ranged along the east end of the room,
seated, quite at home, in the satin covered
chairs, were fourteen Indian braves, of the
Sioux and other delegations. Each was diff
ferently dressed and decorated, but all original
and aboriginal in costume and custom, and af
fording fine contrast by their unstudied atti-
tudes, stalwart figures and flowing blanket
draperies, to the thinlegged, tight-laced male
specimens of JaponicadOm, staring at them
through their eyeglasses Everybody shook
u
of their own and very indignant were they if
any fair lady drew back. They had their fun,
too, In administering grip of iron to the dan
dies who approached, and sending them away
with crushed fingers and tears in their eyes
In the elliptical promenade was presented
at every revolution a succession of notabes.
There were all the Cabinet Ministers; there was
tall Sam Houston, towering at height that dis
played full three quarters Of a stupendous vest
pattern above the heads of his fellow mortals.
and there was General Scott, overlapping even
the altitudinous Texan; there was the plump
blonde free-soiler, Hale and the plump bru-
nette free-sollers, Hamlin and Wilson there
was white neck-elothed Lord Napier, SO quiet
In dress. SO unassuming in manner, as not to
half come up to fast Young Americas idea of
anobleman; there was Emmons Pop the poet
with Byronic collar, and eye lin fine phrenzy
rolling; there was the trio of artists. Healy.
Hing and Bessau, each of whom cuItiyates the
picturesque, and lets his hair grow there was
Marshal Wilder, the veteran agriculturalis'
with his eagle eye; there was Mrs Southwortb
the novelist, surrounded by circle of the
hterah; there was Senator Douglas, with his
beautiful Washington bride on his arm there
were such other prominent political stagers as
Gwin, Mason, Hunter, Keitt, Clingman, Flor
ence, Colamer, Kennedy and Pearcc; there
were Judges Wayne and Catrun, of the Su-
preme Court, and Commodore Layalette, Of
the Navy; there was DIR. Parker, fresh from his
mission to the Celestia-; and there was Train.
the merchant Bostonian who has visited every
where; there were hundreds of other person
VIII
lie as household words, but which we lack
space here to chronicle.
The Marine Band performed exquisitely as
usual, number of pieces arranged expressly
by their leader. Scala. The programme opened
with Buchanan's Inauguration March. dedi-
Gated by its composer (Scaia) TO Miss Lane
then followed an overture from @ Masaniello;''
duet from /" Rigoletto;' Goldsmith chorus
from Grown Diamonds" with limitations
Stradella Quadrille; Butterfly Waltz; Polka
from " l. Empiric"; Quickstep from sTravi-
alta Cavatina Malvina iii Scotia chorus from
Lucia dI LammeTmo0r;" Bridal Schottisch;
ending with . Yankee Doodle
HE ART OF TELEGRAPHING.-We hear a
story Of a series Of . kilograms recently dis
patched from Richmond to this city concerning
the state OF sentiment in the Virginia Legisla-
ture relative TO the course of the Administra-
ton on the Nicaragua question and the extra
dihon OF Walker by Commodore Paulding, well
worth republication, "a illustrative of the way
In which popular and legislative sentiment is
churned IN this country for political effect.
These dispatehes-three in number-were about
as follows:
Walker question -
NO THE excitement here is tremend-
Gus ~
No. 81 The tremendou excitement here is
increasing .,,''
w course this astounding news came from q
gentleman in close utilization with the Glibu.ter
council in this city-in fact from the gentle
man Entrusted with the important mission of
lobbying into the Virginia Legislature the bro
nhouster resolves now before that body which
were never designed by their Washington city
orglnators to be seriously attempted to be
passed This IS funny world we live in; and
In no other respect more quizzical than in the
manner In which politicians essay to affect the
action Of the Government here as in this case
AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC LANDS QUESTION
DEcIDED.-Below we publish decision re-
Gently made by the Secretary of the Interior
upon question concerning conflicting titles
to swamp lands claimed TO have been taken
up by individuals before being confirmed to
States, by Congress which will he read with no
little interest in those States, especially, that
have been the recipients Of such grants from
the general Government:
DEPARTMENT OF IHg IsIER1op
AsHINGToN, Jan :. I-.4
SIR: i return, herewith, the papers wLicb
oOmpanied your report OF the 9TH Nov.,,i'e-
last, In thu case Of J ID. Ludlow's application of
January =, lSJs, To cutter certain tracts of land in
Danviile district, Illinois Aft-T careful conSId
Grafton OF these papers, together with the rrpott.
from your office of the 9th May and the 9th Sen
tember last, and the argument Of John w u,on
Esq. of Chicago, ia behalf OF Mr. Ludlow 4 an,
OF the opinion that the act of Congress Of :,d
March, PSI, entitled 50 In act To conn m TO the
several states the swamp and overlooked lands
selected under the act OF September ~ IssD >,