The New York herald., 1869-01-02

meeting was extremely cordlal ON both sides. But
Ter grasped hls great political foe BY both hands,
shaking them with the utmost warmth President
Johnson recprocated heartily and both stood face 70
face for at least Ave minutes, with claspcd hands,
chatting and smiling like the oldest and closest
friends. Buffers eye twinkled, twinklcd and twin
kIed with an expression it was dificut to compre-
hend. President Johnsons sharp little eyes twnkIed
twinkIed, twinkled likewise Johnson's face was
all over smiling and happy. Butler's countenance
was radiant AZ full moon beaming with mdness,
benevolence and affection. "Mr President wish
you happy New Year aud all the compliments Of
the season." General, heartily return to you good
wishes; am delighted TO see you, General" ''Mr.
President am equally delighted" The converse
tion at the interview was ending in an exchange OF
meaningless civilities, when suddenly the General
became aware OF the presence OF the ladies OF the
Executive household and fastened to pay his re-
spects The meeting with Mesdanes Patterson and
Slower was conducted with all the skill and gal
iantry OF which General Benjamin Is capable He
was courteous, complimentary and witty, and
took his leave with Chcsterieldan grace OF
whicL.Sophomore Sumner might be clvons Visi-
tors continued to drop in by tw0s ana threes until
about two O'Clock, when the doors were closed and
the New Years reception came to an end.
Leaving the Executive Mansion, the next place
President elect OF the United States. Outside
his comfortable home was to be seen a formida-
BILE array OF carriages and inside was gathered
large assemblage OF visitors, representing nearly
every grade in the social column. Judges,
senators, members, clerks, journalists, lawyers,
doctors divine and legal, plain citizens, army
officers, representatives OF the navy, diplomats
and few Cabinet Ministers were to be noticed, all
minging together in social converse. Speaker Col
fax, with his charming lady, stood the door in
side the room and received the callers with thecor
dial warmth for which he is so distinguished Mrs.
Mathews, his mother and Miss Carrie Mathews,
sister, assisted in the ceremony OF reception After
spending few moments In conversation visitors
were invited to an adjoining room, where table was
spread containing temperance beverages and sub
stantal edDes. The number or callers at the Speak
er's residence was almost equal to that which at
tended the White House reception.
From Mr.. Colfaxs residence we repaired to that
Of Secretary Seward, directly opposite, the other
side or Lafayette square. Our Secretary OF Foreign
Affairs was surrounded with host OF visitors, COM
prising the highest dignitaries in the country. No
one ia more at ease IN the social circle than sIhe
Governor" as he Is still called, not only by New
Workers. who remember him when he administered
the Executive duties Of the Empire State but also by
the bulk Of officials here, VINO seem to cling to the
old title, though IL were one to be relished
higher than that Of "Excelency," which is
applied with solemn pomp and ceremony by
tha-~oorps dipiomatique. .srhe Governor is
hearty iovial and winning in the highest degree
Eat home" He was unusually SO to-day. All his
visitors, and they were legion we're greeted with
the truest hospitality and entertained with charm
ing grace by the Secretary himself his son Frederic
and Miss Mary Carpenter. OF Auburn, N. Y. Mrs.
Frederic Seward was not present on account OF the
recent death OF her father.
Our next visit was to Secretary Welles, OF the
Navy who was assisted in receiving by his amiable
lady and the Misses Hale. Of Connecticut The
house was thronged by members of the diplomatic
corps, Senators and members OF Congress, officers
OF the army and navy, heads of the different bu-
reaus OF the Navy Department and many
distinguished citizens. The visitors were enter
tanned by the Secretary entirely IN o ,Patonic
fashlon-n0 wine, no coffee no refreshments; but
the absence OF material comforts was compensated
by the opportunity to shake the venerable Secretary
himself by the hand and to receive his kindly well
come.
We proceeded from The man Of ships to the man OF
stamps-Secretary McCuloch, the doors OF whose
elegant mansion were thrown wide open anJ emil
vened by q stream Of visitors Presenting our card
and distinctly pronouncing our name to the usher
waiting we were irst announced rs Mr. Dola, next
as MIR. Fonal, next Mr.. Bonner weril ana nnally,
on reaching the lady OF the house got transformed
to Mr.. Heril With tins unfamiliar surname we we're
received by the lady ami welcomed Hospitality
Several elegantly dressed ladies' assisted the Secre-
tary and his lady, among them Mrs. Admiral Bailey.
Something stronger than coffee ana weaker than
brandy was presented to callers in adjoining
room.
Attorney General Evarts' house was next on our
list. We entered at the same time with Ben Butler
aud Chief Justice Cartier, OF the District supreme
Court. The parlors were iiled witt q select though
crowded asseurDage. Mr.. Evarts, MS lady aud
daughter greeted warmly. Passing along VITA
the stream we reached, II an adjoining room, a
table bountifnlly supplied with beverages and
eiibes. Butter came in at the same moment. Some
one here remarked to General Butler. ..Were you 81
the White House reception to-day Generals' ssles.
SIR, went to pay my respects 10 the i'resi-
dent. believe in making Official yis;s.n pheasant
mceangr some one wickedy struck 10. "Ycs,
sir; very pleasant aud cordial meeting.
have never had personal quarrel with Mr.. Joln
son. Ny unpleasantness was political not personal.
don't believe in carrying political disputes into
social life. This Is the era OF pcace.r "You dcinon
stfste your superiority over soae OF our friends
General, by the course you have pursued today.
some OF our modern statesmen seem unable 10 dis
tnguish between official and PERSONAL inserposed
a gentleman. "Peraaps so; perhaps SO, sir. AT all
events did what believed right thought Mr..
Johnson should have been deposed, but the senate,
wiser than |, thought otherwise. It was not for me
to set myself higher than the Senate" saying
which the General changed the subject to Madeira
and we len.
In regular order we visited the residences Of Sec
retary Schoneld, Postmaster General Randall secre
tsry Browning and several other federal oircials
The receptions at Randals ana Browning's were re-
markaby pleasant and cheerful, enhanced, as they
wcre by the presence Of several charming ladies'
At Senator Harian's house Mrs. Harlan and Mrs.
Robert Lincoln did the honors with charming
grace.
The National Bank or the Metropolis
An attorney, representing the National Bank OF
the Metropolis OF this CITY, has called at the Treasury
Department and handed over sss6,ooo OF govern
ment deposits which the bank mas held since went
into liquidation In 1866, and took up the 100000