The national Republican., 1861-12-27
A Pleasant Ama,r Apropo. 70 the s.a.on.


About O'Clock p. m, on Christmas Eve, tn,
clerks Of tho city post office proceeded in 1
body to the residence of Postmaster Clephane
where Chief Clerk Tree, In behalf of his fellow
clerxs, ina little speech, characterized by
much feeling, presented to Mr.. Cephane i
oeantiful gold watch, inscribed as follows:
presented to Lewis Clephane, Esq, post
Master OF washington city, d. @ by the clerk,
10 ms ONCE, as a token of respect and esteem
washington, d. c., Dec. rs, 1872
Mr.. Clephane, In the course Of feliCitous
response, remarked that he had feared that he
| night have gained rather their III will than
their good will from the incessant labor he had
been compelled to require At their hands in
consequence OF the immense increase Of work
thrown upon the Washington Office since tha
war commenced. But they had performed
this additional labor with cheerful alacrity
feeling with him that II WAS from military
and public necessity.
Following upon this presentation was that of
u handsome gold mounted cane to Mr.. Tree
from Mr.. Clephane, who, in rendering it, sp0k g
or Mr.. T. as one who for over thirty years had
served the public faithfully and intelligenty
In connection with the Washington City Post
once, and was yet laboring rs actively and rs
zealously as the youngest of them.
Mr.. T., who WAS evidently taken considerably
aback by the present and the complimentary
terms In which it was offered, blushed like a
hestating disclaimer of any ability to ade.
quately respond, than If he had made an elab.
rate speech.
The cane was inscribed: "To Lambert Tree,
Esq, Chief Clerk of City Post Office, MS light
testimonial Of the confidence and esteem Of
Lewis Cephane, p M, Washington City, D. c.,
Dec. rs, 1851"
Presentation No. 3 then came oh-Mr. A. G.
Richards, financial clerk of the office, being the
recipient, and Nr. Alfred q. Hail. special Mail
Agent, the spokesman. The gift in this instane
was also beautiful gold cane, lot.
tered" From the clerks of the City Post Office,
to their friend and fellow clerk, A. C. Richards
As testimonial Of their high regard. Wash.
ington, d. G., Dec. 25, lS6l."
The party was then invited to partake of the
generous hospitalties Of Mr.. Clephanc's man.
sion, and with this and the dispensatiOn of do
lightfu music, vocal and instrumen al, coupled
with the cordial interchange Of good feeling
between as genial a set Of gentlemen ms were
perhaps ever cOnEregrated under single roof
the hours flew till the small hours of Christmas
morn.
We would further state" that the City Post
Once clerks, as thus collectively seen, are a
remarkably goodlooking and amiable Sc; of
men-a circumstance partly accounted for
doubtless, from the fact that the topographic /
"persuasion" ia so largely represented in the
oorps.-Stdr.
In addition to the above, we viii ark that
among the gentlemen present upon this interest.
ing occasion, wore Mr.. Kasson, the First Assist.
ant Postmaster 0enerali Mr.. Mcclellan Second
Assistant Postmaster General; Gen. Skinner
Principal Clerk of General Post ONCE. A number
OF letters, complimentary TO Mr.. Clephane Were
received from other Post Office officials, and
from the Congressional Post ONCE committees.