The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-14

Reception Banquet by Californiaus In This
City--A Brilliant Entertainment.

Reception Banquet by Californiaus In This
City--A Brilliant Entertainment.
A sumptuous banquet was given by the Callfor-
mans in New YORK at Delmonico's last evening to
the California pioneers OF 1919, who arrived here
short time since via the Pacific Railroad from san
Francisco. The Pioneer Association Is one Of the
prominent institutions of California, and numbers
among It's members many OF the most distinguished
men of the state. on the completion OF the Pacific
Railroad these enterprising spirits resolved to
make an excursion to New York, and last
month about one hundred ana nifty OF those who
went out TO California by the tedious and dangerous
routes OF the Isthmus and Cape Horn and who have
have largely contributed TO the prosperity and glory
Of our Pacific shores, chartered special train and
came across the Continent to their Atlantic homes.
1t was intended to give them a banquet i'm
mediately upon their arriyal but after twenty
years absence from their native hills few
cared to lnger here, and nearly all scat
tered throughout the Eastern States to visit
their Trends and relatives After the lapse or nearly
a month they have assembled again In New York,
and last night the contemplated reception banquet
formally expressed the cordial welcome with which
they have everywhere been received.
A company OF over two hundred assembled In the
parors OF Delmonco's at six r. NJ. ana for an nour
period. large number Of distinguished citizens
present to greet the Californians and the glad
fecognhions and interchange OF "reminiscences pre-
sented most animated and interesting scene. On
the announcement Of the feast the company pre-
ceueu ny MI. Greeley ana MAYOR GencTal mcdowell,
Mr.. William Il. Coleman and MIR. Carter, Hon. james
Brooks and MIR. Crawford, and Hon. Eugene Cas-
serly and Mr.. Tweed, repaired to the banquet hail.
The walls OF the apartment were adorned with
the banners OF the pioneer association
and national nags, and the table Of
the chairman, Mr.. Coleman and the most distn
guests were magnificent floral squares, bearing
the inscription, In beautiful blossoms 'lS49
Goodby," and the otner, "1S6y, Welcome" Numer
GUS and elaborate bouquets crowned all the brlllant
tables and in each guests wineglass was delicate
nosegay for the buttonhole.
Justice having been done the elegant banquet an
invocation was offered by Rev. DR.. Scott, and the
toasts and speeches Of The evening were
inaugufated 10y Mr.. Coleman III very
happy address Of welcome. Letters from Presi-
dent Grant, General Sherman, Governor Holman,
Governor Geary. Governor nalght, Major Generals
Hooker, Meade and Butterheld; Judge Field. and MIR.
McCiatchy, the absent president of the Pioneer
Association were read and responded to with en-.
thuslastlc cheers. The first regular toast 'Tne
President or the United States,n was responded TO
by General Mcdowell IN capital speech. TO the
toast Of 'New York and Californar eloquent re-
sponses were made by Mr.. Greeley and Hon. Lugene
Casserly, aud the remainder OF the entertainment
WAS enlyened to late hour by brilliant sentiments
and an animated exhibition OF good fellowship
Among the most pleasant features of the occasion
was lengthy and characteristic letter from Marx
Twain, VINO gave humorous account OF ms invest
ments aud experiences in California mines, and
finally, after the recital OF many entertaining incl
dents of California pioneer life, the merry company
reluctantly broke up.