Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-01-03
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, January T. 1866,


The very unlavorabe weather greatly marred the
social pleasures incident to New Years Day. The
Cabinet diplomatic corps judges, army and navy
officers and Others, generally avaied themselves Of
vehicles, and presented the wonted numerical
strength The sloppy condition OF the streets at the
hour of twelve when the doors were thrown open for
the reception of the 'plebeians," was terrible, so
much 80 as 10 keep within doors large numbers who
otherwise would have paid their respects 10 the Chief
Magistrate But small number of ladies ventured
forth, and they are now standing candidates for
catarrh and pneumonia. The marine band was in
attendance at the White House discerning music
during the hours of reception. The sidewalks on
Pennsylvania avepue in front of the White House.
and the State and War Departments, as also along
the public reservations, were in shocking condi-
ton the and slush being ankle deep, subject
ing all pedestrians route to call upon the Presi
dent 10 the horrible annoyance OF wading through.
Marshall GoOdng, assistant marshal Phillips, Il.
B. French, commissioners OF public buildings, and
A. C. Richards, superintendent of police, were early
at the White House to cooperate with a detail OF
notice and military in facilitating the crowd to OBJ
tain entrance and presentation to the President and
ms daughters, Mrs Patterson, and Mrs. Slower. Ro-
bert johnson, Esq, and private Secretary, was
ndsposed and unable to be present, but Messrs.
Rives Long Morrow and Moore, of the Presidents
staff were on hand, assisting in the presentation and
entertainment of the thrOng.
The diplomatic corps in full strength in their
rich costumes when they called and the officers OF
the army were IN UNIFORM, ana Included. among
their number Generals Gilmore, Mott, Meigs Au-
eur Hardie, Barnes, Howard and many Others, pre-
coded by Lieutenant-Genera Grant and staff
The officers of the navy were presented by AsSiS
tant Secretary Fox. All the Supreme Court Judges
in the city, as well the Cabinet, present, but
Secretary Seward who has gone on his voyage TO the
south Atlantic. 4 goodly number of Senators and
Representatives were called and presented. num-
Der of cOlored citizens congregated at the western
entrance to the grounds Pennsylvania avenue,
but did not mingle with the whites passing 10 the
mansion Those that chose to enter were allowed TO
do so at the hour of two, when the doors closed
to the white crowd, Many expressed dspeasure at
the discrimination.
The Cabinet ministers, with many of our promi-
nent citizens, received their friends.
The receptions of the ladies of the Cabinet minis.
tiers were only second in Importance to that 1T the
Presidential mansion, being attended by the Judges
of the Supreme Court the members Of the Diploma
tic Corps the high officers of the army and navy,
and a throng of distinguished officials and other
citizens That of Mrs Harlan. who was attended
bv her daughter and Miss Simpson, daughter of
Bishop Simpson, was particularly elegant, though
smple-nO liquors being offered. The receptions ut
Secretary McCullOch and Postmaster General Dem
ison. were also admirably conducted The Judges
of the Supreme Court gave receptions, except Judge
Davis who was called to Baltimore by the death
of his cousin Henry Winter Davis.