Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-10-20
From tn, National Int lligencer
"The Republican Court. "

his pen in relation to the social habituces
which prevailed at om Republican Court"
in the days of the First President. As
these "reminiscences may be deemed to have
received new interest since the death of
their writer has preciuded the hope of any
additional communications, such as our
readers were annually favored with on the
22d OF February during the life of Mr..
Custis, we have concluded no longer to
withhold. from them the last contribution
penned by "the child Of Mount Vernon.
THE REPUBLICAN, COURT IN THE DAYS OF
THE FIRST PRESIDENT.
The Presidential Mansion in PhiladeI-
phia was the property Of Robert Morris, and
had been the headquarters OF Sir William
Howe during the occupation of Philadel-
phia by the British army in 1777-'7S. The
situation was eligible, being in an airy and
pleasant part of the city, with considera-
bic area or open space adjoining it, and
contiguous to the public buildings. Con:
siderable additions and improvements were
made to the original building with a view
to It's accommodation of the Presidents
household; still the rooms were small, and
the whole establishment but lndifferently
fitted for the purposes required.
The equ;pages of the President were well
provided for, the stabing for twelve horses
being extensive and commodious, and the
coach-houses lerge and convenient.
Washington's upmitigated, untiring EN-
1t 1.h4 do % L.
he should have some mode of public recep-
tion for the many visiters who were con-
tinualIy seeking opportunities of paying
their respects and presenting their letters
of introduction; hence the
PRESIDENTS LEyEE
on Tuesdays, commencing at three and end
ing at four O'Clock. At these receptions
there was no sinking of hands, the Chief
receiving his visitors as President of the
United States and not as General Wash
ingon. The foreign Ministers attended
the levee in full costume, and often intro
duced persons ofdistinction from their re-
spective countries. All strangers of dis:inc-
tion embraced the opportunity of the levee
pay tuCu lcSpSStS " tuC SHiei
tr,te. The President was plainly but hand
somely dressed, his hair in full powder, and
wearing dress sword. He was attended
/ by his principal secretary, Mr.. Lear, by
Major jackson, and the other gentlemen of
his family. He addressed few words of
courtesy to the visitors as they were pre-
sented. The company then formed in
groups for conversation, and on the stroke
of four O'Clock retired, the levee being at an
end
THE DRAWING ROOM.
When Mrs. Washington received COM
pany it 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 principal ornament was glass
chandelier in the largest room, burning wax
| lights The chair Of the lady of the Presi-
dent was a plain armchair, lined with green
morocco leather.
The ladies' visiting the drawing room
were always attended by gentlemen. 1t
was. not the habit for very young girls to be
present at the drawing room, but only those
of the age when it is proper tor ladies' to 60
into company. Upon the ladies' being in
troduced they were seated, and the Presi-
fdent, who always attended the drawing
rooms, passed round circle, paying his re-
spects TO each in succession. and it was a
common remark among the chit-chat Of the
drawing room that the Chief was no incon-
siderable judge Of female beauty, since he
xas observed to tarry longer than usual
when paving his compliments to Miss
Sophia Chew, charming belle of Phia
delphia in that time.
Refreshments were handed round oy SER
wants in livery, and about that period first
appeared the luxury, now SO universal, of
ice cream. Introduclions to eminent per-
I sonages ard conversation formed the enter
tainments of the drawing room. Cards
were altogether unknown.
4 But the leading and most imposing feature
Of the drawing room was the men Of mark,
the "Revoiutionaries,' both civil and mill.
tarv, who were to be seen there. The old
} officers delighted to pay their respects to
the wife of Washington, and to call up the
"reminiscences of the head quarters and Of
the "time that tried mems souls" These
, glorious old chevaliers were the greatest
J beaux of the age, and the recollection OF
. their gallant achievements, together with
, their elegant manners, made them accepta.
BILE to the ladies every where. They form.
ed the elite of the drawing room. General
Wayne, the renowned "Mad Anthony
with his aides-de-camp, Lewis and De Butts
frequently attended, with Mifflin, Walter
Stewart, Colonel Hartley, and many others
Indeed there wss often to be met with a
7 the mansion of the First President an as
semblage of intellect and honor, public vir
tue and private worth, exalted merit an,
D ilustrious services, such as the world vii
never see again.
Among the foreign officers of distinction
visitors of the drawing room, were tn,
: Vicomte de Noalles, Of the French, an,
I Msior Beckwith. of the British armies.
: There was no etiquette in the drawin!
i room: simplicity with dignity prevailed
There all was affability, with the polite AM
elegant manners of that distinguished age
J! One privilege alone existed. The sea
next to the Presidents lady was always oc
cupied by Mrs. Robert Morris. This wa
: no matter of arrangement, but was yielde