Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-01-14
y9oY WASHINGTON CITf.

C.rY,.ro"d,oct gt' he EicAm""6 E~n?qiCr.
WA>HIN,Toy CRY, Jan. l.. is5H.
S.icSsr>. Editu:>-Thc first Of the season. ant
We venture TO assert. ono u! the most brilliant
receptions ever Witnessed at the Presidential
mansion. took place las; evening. Evcry
branch Of the public service w. represented
by men distinguished either in arms or in tho
Cabinet. The diplomatic corps was out, also
in full rprtc-promincn; among whom might
he seen the quiet. yet %cour;ly. representative
of England, taking his congo of friends. whose
favor he In, won by the gcntlcncSS of his man.
ncrS. and the amiahility Of his disposition
There were. besides the usual incidents o: the
occasion. such aS music and the promenade.
upon which appeared what is mai usual in
Washington. though it is Il strange fact an
array of beauty and loycline>s seldom. if ever.
cq,alcd in any drawing room of the land. and
bedeckcd in the gandicSt and most costly hucS,
with which fashion cillS the vices Of is yota-
ricS. and makes american women Il biz word.
among the nations. Tor splendid butmnmcanirs
extravaganza.
Tonight a reception will also be held at the
residence Of Ex-Gov. Floyd, ut which. helm.
the opening Of the winter campaign Of Mctropo-
Titan gait!cS. an unusually large number of viSi-
tors is expected 20 re prcscnt-tn find. that
although il is now the business Of Old Virgil
nii to conduct the operations of war. she can
still indulge in the gentle amenities of peace.
and extend n cordial welcome. together with
all the accomplishments "f n generous noSpiiali-
t. 10 those who choose to SIT by her iirc->idc.
Th. S.y.nfl, unnpnl ,u..f,n,, nF III, | pifcI
States Agricultural Society was. this morning.
held at the Smithsonian Institution. After
transac,ing such preliminary business as was
necessary to the proper organization Of the
body. the President, Genl Tcnch Tilshman Of
Maryland. delivered the customary address.
In the course of his remarks, Inc took occasion
to compliment, in the highest terms, the eXhi-
bition lately held ut Richmond. and to express
his grateful sense of the uniform courtesy Of
the officers of the Virginia State Agricultural
Society during its continuance. Of the stock
displayed there. he spoke particularly, as being
equally remarkable for their condition and
quality. Ii i: gratifying TO observe. in con-
ncction with this subject, that, while every
great interest Of the country has sucked the
pap of government for advancement, the agri-
cultural intcrest-thc mother OF them all--haS
wisely relied upon private enterprise to con-
duct it, operations. and s%purned. with indigna-
ton. any attempt 10 compromise the proud in
dependence il haS won by the sc!f.rciiancc it
has exercised. 10 it. therefore. we mus, look
for the preservation of the pristine purity Of
the Govc-nIneGt. and for the maintenance Of
that great machinery in lis proper sphere. since
the tendency Of the course pursued by other
interests has been to ccntralise ali power here.
by inviting tic interference Of the Federal Go
vernmcnt in their affairs.
The French Spoliatinn bill. which. IN accord
ancc with my predictions. has just passed the
Senate, provides for the appointment Of I board.
consisting Of three members. at Il salary Of
$4,000 each per ann;m. whose duty it shall he
to ascertain, within the three ensuing years az
er the passage OF the bill, who are the creditors.
and what the amount S~eyerally due them, Ii
also provides for the issuance Of certificates of
indebtedness on the part Of the United States,
bearing interest ut } per cent. to he used in
satisfaction of the claims thus aScer;aincd. and
to he reteemable ut the pleasure Of the Gov
crnmcnt.
Rc,rcnchmcnt and reform is the great watch
word III Congressional action now. Every
available means i being tried in Committees
and in the House. where the appropriation
bills originate, 10 reduce the public ~cxpendi-
lures within the limit OF the revenue. and. Cor
this reason, all such objects as are not Of press
ing Importance, or can BE- postponed without
detriment TO the public service. vii! be 50 post