Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-01-01
SECOND EDITION.
4 O'CLOCK p. m.
THE PRESIDENTS RECEPTION.

that purpose barely suficed to pay off debts
accumulated during the previous occupancy
of the Executive Mansion, leaving nothing for
present Improvements. The East Room is
particularly defaced, and was unfit for a re-
ception, but by the efforts of Mr.. William
Slade, steward of the White House, it was
placed in a tolerably presentable condition.
The worn carpet in this apartment as well as
those in the other rooms, was covered with a
neat spread for the purpose Of protecting it
from further injury by the crowd, and the most
soiled furniture was removed. The carpets in
the ante-rooms were taken up leaving the oil
cloth, which is always laid down under them
A platform was built from the window of the
hall in which the staircase ascends, TO the pave
ment, so as to enable the crowd to pass out
without obstructng ingress, and the doors of
the vestibule were removed, thus giving free
access to the reception room.
In the Blue Room, where the President re-
ceives his visitors, elegant bouquets formed of
white and variegated camelias, heliotrope
lilies, and mignonette were placed in gilded
flower stands, and on the lacquered tables of
japanese workmanship.
At an early hour this morning the United
States Marshal, Mr.. Gooding; his deputy, Mr.
Phillips; the Commissioner of Public Build
ings, Mr.. French; and Mr.. Richards, Superin-
ance at the White House, completing the
arrangements for the ceremonies. The detail
of police consisted of sixty seven men, who, in
their new uniforms and white gloves pre-
sented a very creditable appearance. Forty
were assigned to the Executive Mansion. under
the command of Sergeants Hurley and Skip
pom. Twenty Of them were stationed in the
various apartments through which the guests
were to pass. number of police were also
placed on duty at the residences of the Score
taries.
The Marine Band, under Prof Scala, was
seated in the principal ante-room, and during
the reception performed the following airs -
Hail TO the Chief Coro and Aria-Roberto, i'll
Diavolo. Overte-Willam Tell. Aria-La
Fayorita. Settimno-Ernani. Waltz-Dream
on the Ocean. Liberty Duetto-I Puritan,
Duetto-La Traviata. Cavatina-Il Furioso
Arla-Ernani. Cavatina- Harold. Grand
March-Tanhauser. Star-Spangled Banner
Hail Columbia, and Yankee Doodle. The
gates leading to the grounds of the Executive
Mansion were closed, and guarded by de-
tachment of Veteran Reserves
Sir Frederick Brute, British Minister wa.
the first of the Diplomatic Corps to arrive, and
Secretary Stanton the first of the Cabinet The
others included in the III o'clock reception
rapidly followed, and consisted of the mem
bers of the Cabinet excepting Secretary Sew
ard, who sailed for the gulf on Saturday, and
who was represented by the Acting Secretary
of State, (Mr. Hunter,) all of the Diplomatic
Corps residing in the city, Chief Justice Chase
and the Associated Judges of the Supreme
Court, and Judges DIN, Cartier, and
Wyhe, of the District Coart. Most of these
dienitaries were accompanied by their families
A large number of Senators, including the
President of the Senate, Mr.. Foster, and Sena-
tors Morgan, Harris, johnson, Salisbury,
Stewart, Ramsey. Foote, Morrill,, Howard and
Stockton, and members OF Congress with their
famtl es were also present.
few minutes before eleven, the President
accompanied by his daughters, Mrs Patterson
and Mrs. Slower, and two young ladies' from
Nashville, guests of the family, entered the
Blue Room. Col. Robert johnson, son of the
President, was i'll, and unable to be present
The other attaches of the Executice office, Col
Moore, Col Rives, MAJ. Morrow and Mai
Long, were in attendance, and entertained
many of the guests who fingered in the recep-
ton room. Mrs. Patterson was dressed in
black velvet elegantly trimmed, and was or
namented simply by a white japonica In her
hair. Mrs. Stover was attired in black silk,
and was also without ornaments. Each lady
held beautiful bouquet OF mignonette, hello
trope, and japonicas.
Marshal Gooding stood on the left of the
President and nearest the entrance to the recep-
ton room, and the Acting Secretary Of State
on the right the latter presenting the members
of the diplomatic corps they entered the
apartment. The Commissioner of Public
Buildings Hon. H. b. French, presented the
guests TO Mrs. Patterson and Mrs. Slower
After the members of the Cabinet, the foreign
Ministers, the Judges Of the Supreme Court of
the United States, Senators and Representa-.
tives in Congress, and the Judges of the Su-
preme Court of the District of Columbia and
the Court of Claims had been presented, few
moments were occupied in mutual congratu-
lations, the distinguished guests completely
hlIlng the Blue Room, and forming a most
brilliant assemblage.
At half-past eleven the officers of the ARMY.
Navy, and Marine Corps Were received
General Townsend presented the officers of
the Army, who were preceded by Lieutenant
General Grant and staff, and included Major
Generals Augur, Gilmore, Meigs, Ingalls, Fes
sender, Mott. Vincent, Hardie, Seth Williams,
Brlce, Barnes, Howard, and others, and a large
number of Brigadier Generals anu subordinate
ofhcers. The officers of the Navy were not so
numerous. These were presented by Captain
FOX, Assistant Secretary OF the Navy, and
consisted principally of subordinate officers
including those of the Marine Corps on duty in
Washington.
AT II O'Clock the gates of the Presidents
grounds were thrown open, and the citizens
reception commenced. Carriages approached
by the east gate and departed by the west gate,
the order being reversed for pedestrians. The
knowledge that the gates would not be opened
to the public until II o'clock prevented the as
sembling of large crowd until after the princi-
pal receptions had taken place, and the digni-
taries had taken their departure, but by one
O'Clock the approaches to the White House
were densely thronged by visitors, who con-
tinued to arrive by hundreds until two O'Clock.
the hour at which the public reception termi.
mated.
After two O'Clock, such of the colored people
as were in waiting outside, were admitted
Upon the conclusion of the ceremonies, the
members Of the Marine Band were shown to
one of the apartments in the basement where
New Years dinner, prepared under the SUI
pervison of the White House steward, Mr.
Slade, awaited them.
PERFIDIOUs BLOW.