Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-03
New Years Day in Warrington.

Nearly half the stores and other private
business places in Washington are closed To-
day. the custom Of keeping the first OF Janu,
AIRY a. holiday having become very general
in the Federal Metropolis. In the Executive
Department no business is done to-day,
as all in public employment here on salaries
devote il to making conSratulat"ry CANS
upon the President, and other principai
government f,nctionaries, their own ana
their personal friends At an early hour tins
morning, it being evident that the late over
fluid weather was passing away, Pennsylvania
avenue exhibited signs that we were to nave
the usual sayeties of the occasion in all quar-
ters of the citv. AT noon, thousands on thou
sands were out on foot. and in vehicles, pro-
cceding from one hospitable mansion to an
other, wherein all were welcome, and III many
of which an abundance of good cheer was duly
spread for all =.
Years Day reception took place. and was at
tended by every gentleman now IN Washing-
ton connected with either foreign legation:
who made II brilliant picture indeed, in full
oficicial dress, as they We're, and attended
by the ladies of their respective families
AT halfpast eleven the officers of the Navy
and Army. in full dress uniform, the latter
wearing the hat recently introduced into the
service, followed in paying their compliments
10 the Chief Magistrate. They presented a
very fine appearance, indeed, and as they lin
oercd about the room contributed greatly to
the liyelncSs of the scene.
At noon precisely, the great gates of the
Executive grounds were thrown open, and a
dense mass of the soyereigns, OF all pursuits
and degrees marched up to the portals OF the
White House to pay their respects TO Presi-
dent Buchanan. These matters were man
ared. as usual, under the direction of the Ell
lent and popular Marshal of the District OF
Columbia, than whom no other ever conduc-
fed the irving ceremonies of the occasion
with more true dignity and grace, or more to
the comfort of the President and the five or
six thousand persons, of both sexes ana all
ages, who paid their respects to the occupant
of the Executive Mansion to-day.
After the company had been presented to
the President bv Marshal Selden. many OF
them were also presented by James Buchanan
Henry esq. to Miss Harriet Lane, the Presl-
dent saccomplishcd niece and the hostess OF
the White House, and many were the compli'
ments bestowed upon this lady subsequently,
hv those whose admiration was excited by her
graceful and agreeable maner.
The police arrangements of Marshal Sci
den were very admirable. Though seen
everywhere their presence might, by any pos
sible chance, be necessary, they were In the
way of no one, while their polite and quiet
attentions materially facilitated the move
ments Of all. The Marine Band, in full uni
form, also added not little TO the enjoyment
Of the occasion at the Mansion. Nearly
every stranger in Washington. as we'll as
thousands on thousands Of our own fellow
citizens were there: rs were also all the Army
and Navy officers of the United States (ln
full uniformly who are now here The good
humor and gavety Of all added materially to
the brilliancy and excitement of the scene.
Ate. p. m, the Reception closed. and the
mansion in few moments afterwards became
rs quiet as usual. From the Executive man
sion the throng dispersed for other calls, and
crowded the residences of the members of the
Cabinet, various citizens. and distinguished
strangers, perhaps hundred of whom kept
open house during the forenoon Wash. Star.