The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-09-27
Rift1monh Qispatfb.
TUESDAY MORNING SEPT o. ,ssa
THE Republican Court" Described by thr
Late George Washingtan Parle Cnriis

IL.
THE Republican Court Described bv ,he
Late George Washington Parle Curtis.
Inc National Iaiesaigeater publishes here
soioTe imprinted contribution of the late Geo
Washington Parke Curtis, the subject OF
which is the "Repabliean Court In the days
OF the first President. The following is an In.
teresting extract from IL:
The Presidential Mansion in Philadelphia
was The property Of Robert Morris. and had
heen the headquarters OF Sir William Howe
CURING the occupation OF Phiiadel iihia by the
Hritish army in IT7s-'7s. The situation was
eiigible. being in an airy and pleasant part OF
the city. with Il considerable area OF open
space adjoining 1t, contiguous 10 the public
buildings. Considerable additions and i'm
nroVements were made TO the original buid-
ing with view to its accommodation OF the
Presidents household; stiIi the rooms were
small, and the whole establishment but indif-
ferenily fitted for The purpose required.
The equipages OF the President were well
provided for, the stabiing of twelve horses
being extensive and consmodious, and the
coach -horees large and convenient.
Washingtou's unmitigated, untiring en-
ploHment and labor made 1t necessary that he
should have some mode Of public reception
for the many visitors who were continually
seeking opportunities OF paying their respects
and presenting their letters OF iatroduetioa;
hence the Presidents Levee Tuesdays,
commencing at three and ending at four
O'Clock. At these receptions there was no
shaking of hands, the Chisf receiving his WIS.,
ifors rs President of The United States and
not as Gen. Washington. The foreign Minus
ters attended the ievee in fun costume, and
often introduced persons of distinction from
their respective countries. All strangers OF
distinction embraced the opportunity Of the
teyee to pay their respects to The Chief Maeis-
tTate. The President was plainly but hand
somely dressed, his hair in full powder and
wearing dress sword. He was attended nv
hJS feTIn so Tpt Mr II
Jackson, and the other gentlemen of his fam
lily. He addressed few words of courtesy To
the visitors as they Were presented. The
company then formed in groups for CONVEX
sation, and on the s.rolte of four O'Clock re-
tired, the ieyee being at an end
When Mrs. Washington received COMPANY
II was ON Friday, commencing about seven and
ending about ten o'clock Two rooms were
thrown open. The furniture that was thought
handsome in those days would be considered
barely decent in modern times. The princi-
pal ornament was Il glass chandelier in the
largest room, burning wax lights. The chair
Of the lady of the President was a plain arm
chair, lined with green morocco leather.
The ladies' visiting the drawing ro ON were
always attended by gentlemen twas not the
habit for very young girls to be present at the
drawing groom, but only those of the age when
it Is proper for ladies to go into company
Upon the ladies being introduced. they were
seated, and The President, who always attended
the draWlng-roons. passed round the circle,
paying his respects TO each in succession. and
1t was a cornmon remark among the chit-chat
of the drawing-room that the Chief was no
inconsiderable Judge of female beauty, since
he was observed 10 tarry longer than usual
when paying his compliments to Miss Sophia
Chew, a charming belle OF Philadelphia at
that time.
Refreshments We're handed round by SER
wants in livery, and about that period first an
peared the luxury, now so universal of ice
cream. lntroductionS to eminent personaees
and conversation, formed the entertainments
of the drawing-ro0m. Cards were altogether
unknown.
But the leading and most imposing feature
OF the drawing room was the men of mark the
'ReYoiutionaries,' both civil and military.
who were to be seen there. The old officers
drlshted to pay their res poets to the wife OF
Washington, aud to call mp the "reminiscences
Of the headq uarters and of the ''times that
trica mems souls" These glorious old cheya-
liers We're the greatest beauN Of the age, and
the recollection of their gallant achievements
together with their elegant manners. made
them acceptable to the ladies EVERYWHERE
They formed the elite of the drawing room
General Wayne the renowned 'tMad Antho-
nv" with his aides -de-camp, Lewis. and De
Butts, frequently attended, with MiGiin Wal
Ter Stewart, Colonel Harti.y, and many others.
Indeed there was often to be met with, at the
mansion of the First President, an assembiage
OF intellect aud honor public virtue and pri-
yate worth. exalted merit and iliustrious
services, such as the world will never see
again.
among the foreign oiticerS OF distinction.
visitors OF the drawing-room, Were the vi
comte de Noailles, efthe French. and Major
BpckWiIh. OF the British armies.
There was no etiquette in the drawing groom:
simplicity, with dignity, prevailed. There All
was atlabilty, with the polite and elegant
manners of that distinguished age One priyi-
ieSe alone existed. The seat next to the Presi-
dents lady was always occupied by Mrs
Robert Morris. This was no matter Of ar
rangement, but was yielded to the excellent
lady by common consent. In those infant
days OF the Republic n great mans merits
were pretty generally graduated by the esti-
nation in which he was held by the beloved
Cpief. Now, il was perfectly well known in
ancient days that, of all our revolutionary
Worthies, Aone-no, not oEe--was nearer and
dcarer to the heart of the Chief than Robert
III orris. His invaluable services to the~cause
OF American Independence, at periods when
we nad neither q coin i'll our treasury nor
credit to obtain one, We're freshly remembered
III the oiden time, and claimed for the fin:in-
cier of the Revolution the title OF public bene-
factor.
Snch was the Republican Court in the DAYS
of Washington. DIgnitied in its simplicity
imposing from the grandeur OF its associa-
tons, 1t shed lustre- upon that renowned era
Of our early history, when America, having
consummated her great experiment OF self
government, gave her example TO other ma
nations and an empire to the world.