, 1861-12-17
The Republican Court-Rules OF
Wn1hlnEton Ettquette.


t"Perley" Correspondence Of the Boston journal. I
We read in " Philps's Handbook Of Wash
1ngton, - ayolume daintily bound in crimson
and gold, that at the seat of government, q
conventional form Of social intercourse seems
absolutely Indispensable Before the first
passed, this question Of @etiquette' Licked
up row at the Republican Court, and there
was prolonged discussion between the Fed
erlllst Hamilton and the Democrat Jefferson
before "eode" could be agreed upon salts
factory to the courtly DANES in powderc hair,
heelcd shoes. THIS 'code," is the supreme
Law at the present time. T;mpora zl,ssautu7
but though the times change, the Washing
tonian code Of etiquette' remains. The first
article, that neither the President nor his wif,
can return visits, was partially disrega1ded By
Court, established by Washington and kept
up by John Adams Madison did not cxact1y
dare to restore the ssfnI- dress drawing rooms;
but he rarely visited, although Mrs. Madison.
then then IN The bloom Of youth, used to return
calls. Airs. Monroe was in feeble health. and
thus had pretext for returning to the original
etiquette, and since her dag neither the Presi-
dent nor his wife hare returned tic visits
which al pay to them.
The Vice President owes visit to the Pres
3dent, on the meeting Of Congress, and on
visit from all others, which be may return by
card or IN person. The Judges Of the Supreme
Court call on the President annually, on the
opening Of the Court and on New Years day.
Members Of the Cabinet call on the President
annually, on the opening Of the Court and on
New Years day: Members Of the Cabinet call
on the President on New Years. DIV and tht,
Fourth Of July, but they must annually make
Tue hr6t call, either in person, or by leaving
visiting card, on the Vice President, tie
Judges Of the Supreme Court, Senators and
the Speaker Of the House Of Representatives.
~ When John Quincy Adams was Secretary Of
state, he addressed q formal letter to Vice
PRESIDENT Iompkns, in which he repudiated
the right of Senators to exact the first call
from Cabinet officers, but he was oycrrulcd BY
the State Rights men, who regarded Senators
as representatives Of sovereign powers. So
the Senators only owe the first visit to the
President, the Vice President, the Judges Of
tue Supreme Court, and the Speaker Of the
House, and they even claim the first visit as
due them from Foreign Ministers.
Representatives are expected to call in per-
kon, or to leave card, soon after the opening
ct each session, upon the President, Vice
President, Judges, Cabinet officers, Speaker
and Foreign Ministers. All minor officials
owe the first visit-and what is laid down by
the gentlemen, applies to the ladies. So next
to Mrs. Lincoln, the Mrs. Senators are high
cockolorems, tile Cabinet danes come next,
then the Mistress Representatives, and so
down until the better halves of the smallest
salaIied clerks gre reached. After which, las
the Independence programmes say) come
'"strangers and citizens generally Visiting
by card is the most expeditions and least eS-
Penslye way, for although engraved paste
board is costly, hack-hlre is costlier. 4 mem
bcr Of Congress, who wishes to be the entire
Stilton, must distribute about five hundred
cards It the commencement Of each session,
which the knowing ones get tucked into their
stationery acc0uufS