Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-02
THE PRESIDENTS NEW YEAR RECEPTION.

THE PRESIDENTS NEW YEAR RECEPTION
In accordance with the time honored Gus
tom, the President held his New Year recep-
ton to-day, ard we do not remember of ever
having seen larger crowd in attendance upon
any similar occasion.
Twelve o'clock was the hour designated for
the reception Of the foreign ministers and mem
oers OF the Cabinet; but twenty minutes before
that time they began to arrive, and the frst to
enter the mansion was Mr.. Alfred Berghmans
Secretary OF the Belgium Legation, and sew
eral attaches of the same, followed by Senior
Miguel Maria Lisboa, Envoy Extraordinary
and Einistar Plenipotentiark Of Brazil, &C.
companied by his secretaries.
These parties were ushered into the Red
room. and at i2 O'Clock Mr. and Mrs Lincoln
made their appearance in the "Blue" or
s'Oval' room, when the other Diplomatic
Corps and Cabinet officers began to arrive
The Diplomatic Corps was fully represented,
and also the Cabinet, Secretaries Seward,
Stanton, Welles, Fessenden, Usher, Postmas-
ter General Dennison, and Attorney General
Speed being present, all Of whom were &C.
companied by members of their families.
About 12H o'clock the Judges of the Supreme
Court OF the United States and OF the Court OF
Claims, and the Supreme court Of the Dis.
trict OF Columbia, were ushered in, among
whom were Justices Wayne, Clifford, Grier,
and Nelson; and Judges Cartier, Fisher, and
Wiley. Mr. Fox, Assistant Secretary Of the
Navy; Mr.. Harrington, Assistant Secretary of
the Treasury; Mayor Wallach, and District
Attorney Darlington, together with a large
number of other distinguished parties, were
also received by Mr.. and Mrs. Lincoln at this
hour.
The officers OF the Army, headed by General
Townsend, and of the Navy, headed by Admi-
raj Smith, having previously formed in line at
the War and Navy Departments, filed into the
Presidents house at about twenty minutes of
] O'clock. Prominent among the Army officers
was Gen. Ben. +. Butler, commander of the
Army Of the Jnmes and General Banks, Dou.
bleday, Anger, Hitchcock, Casey, Fessenden,
Rucker, Terry; Col. Ingraham, Provost Mar
shall General Defences north of the Potomac.
and Col. Taylor ana Major Raymond, of Gen.
Auger's staff.
After the officers Of the army and navy had
been received by the President the gates to the
enclosures were thrown open, when general
rush " as made by those eager to gain admit.
lance to the mansion.
Marshal Lamon introduced the visitors to
the President, while Commissioner French
presented them 10 Mrs. Lincoln The Presi.
dent received all with the greatest cordiality
and took each Individual by the hand The
crowd, after passing through the Red, Blue,
Green and East Rooms, emerged from the
mansion through one of the side windows, over
q substantial wooden platform leading to the
portico.
The Marine Band, under Scala, was sta |
toned In one OF the ante-rooms, and discoursed |
excellent music during the reception hours.
In order to prevent the handsome carpets of |
the Mansion from being soiled by the mud and |
dirt brought in by the crowd, canvas was |
spreaA over them.
the police arrangements for the occasion |
were admirable, and reflect great credit upon
Superintendent Richards, who was present in
person. The detail consisted of thirty-two
men, under Sergeant Cronin, OF the Fourth
Ward, no had them well posted throughout
the building, so as to direct parties in which
direction to move, and prevent crowding and
Jcstling after the crowd had gained admit.
lance.
AT half past two o'clock the lam was terri-
BILE, and many pressed SO determinedly to gain
abundance that several ladies and children
were nearly sufocated, and in some instances
LADIES ana children were raised above the
crowd by their ale protectors in order to shield
them from the pressure. One lady reached the
door In such q dilapdated condition, cher bon.
net being smashed and her shawl torn nearly
IN twain,) that she said she would not 90 into
the presence of Mr.. Lincoln in that condition,
and she inquired the nearest way out. One |
man, who was determined to see the President
come W b at might, had the tail Of his long cloak
we'll fastened between four or five men in his
rear, and concluded to leave the garment be-
hin d, unlooping II from his neck, and made the
best OF his way in. The police did their best
10 prevent crowding, but the pressure was too
m ueh for them.