The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-31
The President Looking After New York
Interests.
tue CENSUS Of The CITY TO Be RETAXEN.
Genera, COx's Letter of Resignation
to the President.
jeff Davis Reception i'm
Alcxandx.ia-


City.
An executive order was received Yesterday az yhe
Department or the Interior to retaAe the census OF
the city and county OF New York The renumera.
ton VIII only extend 10 y count OF the population.
ana only such particulars OF age, sex and color viii
De included as are necessary 10 veriii alton. The
work VIII begin Immediately after tile election OF
next week. and VIII be pushed to conclusion within
afew days The limits OF the election districts formed
with view TO the present election viii
be followed In the enumeration. This action
OF the President Is not prompted by any doubt as to
the honesty and efficiency OF the United States Mar
sha and his ASSISTANTS but the President holds that
charges OF such character those brought by the
Mayor and Council OF New York demand investga-
ton. the Mayor having formally charged the United
States Marshal with engaging In criminal conspir-
acy TO keep the population OF the city below one
million. Such charges, 1t Is held cannot be made
without an investigation following
JET DUvis' Reception la Aiexandria-A Tri-
butte 10 the Memory Of Lee.
The visit Of Jen Davis 10 Alexandra, across the
Potomac seems to have stirred up the quiet nhabi-
tants OF that old town IN way that they have not
experienced since the close Of the rebellion. He
left there at SIX O'Clock on Saturday evening for
Richmond after holding u very interesting reccp.
ton, attended by the principal people OF the town.
This reception had been looked forward 10 for many
hours, and the Inhabitants were assembled around
the Mansion House for long time before his return
to the city, whence he had Como with General
Cooper a visit TO the attcr's house, eight or ten
miles distant. The ONCE and parlors OF the hotel
were crowded, and every vehicle that passed the
door was closely scanned TO whether II contained
the great ex-Presldent OF the exploded Confederacy
Finally, little before four O'clock very ordinary
toft en- Inly ,ad
by q tall gentleman dressed In a black suit anJ
wearing low crowned felt hat, alighted. The gen.
tleman was Jer Davis himself, and the crowd imme
diately recognized him, cheering him warmly. lie
was welcomed 10y many OF his old aqualntances and
spent some eight or ten minutes converslng with
them In the Office Of the hotel. Among these
auaintances were good many ex-Confederatc ON
GERS and soldiers besides old residents OF Alexan-
dria and many nom tho neghboring villages OF yir-
GINA. After thus conversing he repaired 10 his apart
ments upstairs 10 prepa for the reception. Under
the direction OF General Corse the crowd wentup
stairs to the drawing room 10 await the appearance
OF MIR. Davis great number OF ladies and little
children were already assembled there. General
Corse who assumed direction OF the informal cere-
monies, announced to the waiting crowd that the
left the genial neighborhood OF the stove aud pro-
ceeded up stairs TO the drawing room. Here were
already gathered over twenty Ladies' ana many
little boys and girls. Rev. Mr. Sprgg and Rev. Mr..
Mckim, the latter formerly captain In the Con.
Iederate service, were present. Mayor Latham, OF
Alexandria, gave few brief instructions TO those
assembled, that when Mr.. Davis made his appear.
ance TO allow him small circle OF space In the
centre OF the room, and for eacn one, on approach
ing, 10 announces his name to General Corse,
be introduced to Mr. Davis and depart forth
10 affar
period OF anxious expectancy. and sm,llngly
advanced towards group or ladies' and children
in one corner OF the ROOM lie was dressed In an
English made suit OF black cloin, rather indiuerenty
adapted TO his age and figure. lie looked infinitely
better than he did three years ago. and seemed In as
good spirits, a. II his life had been ono long sum-
mer His beard, almost entirely gray, grows in a
thin border around his face. lie is man OF frau
build small features, very erect form. not over i've
feet ten IN height, OF afbe address ana attractive
conversation. HIS complexion Is swarlhy. and the
flesh upon his face and neck has dry. scanned and
leathery looking appearance. He kissed all the
children that came In his way, and in his manner
toward the older people present showed That he was
much touched by the evidence or their regard and
admiration General Corse, formerly OF Longstrccts
corps, pleasant looking little man, stood at
his left hand and communicated to him the
patronymc OF each one who came forward 10 be
introduced. Mr.. Davis was In an agreeable and
communicative mood. He said his trip in Europe
had been exceedingly pleasant and instructive, but
though he had the most attractive invitations to
make his stay abroad permanent he was unable 10
resist the amor DdtriG In his nature, and even
among the most fascinating society Of English life
he could not avoid sighing for his canebrake home
in Mississippi. lie is done forever with politics.
He says there are fifty things besides in which he
ha frl IN hia nfrva II In ht.hb
himself can reap more profit and enjoyment. The
death OF General Lee affected him deeply. 1t was
not, he said, OF old age ordinary illness he died.
but rather from corrodIng reflection, which
wore away the casket OF his great soul.
Persons rid themselves of unhappy medtations by
minglng freely In the giddy whirl OF society, but
Lee was man apart from all other men. He per-
mitted no escape to the mountain load OF saddened
thought that lay close upon his heart He kept his
sorrows to himself and finally succumbed to the
oppressive burden. Mr.. Davis was quite pathetic In
speaking OF Lee, and evidently felt deep admiration
for the deceased general. The Alexandrlans came
dropping in until six O'Clock, the women making
quite as large q representation as the men. Some
OF the visitors were old friends OF Mr.. Davis, and
had not met with him since the time he was Senator
from Mississippi. General Cooper remained present
during the time the reception lasted. The General
is gray-bearded and rugged. and, with the exception
OF being taller, Is not unlike Jen DAVIS in hts gene
raj appearance.
The English MissiOn-A Presidential GUAM
Gary.
the President seems to have more difficulty In
securing proper person TO accept the mission 70
England than any other place Ia his gift He stated
TO prominent Senator yesterday that he had not
selected Minister to England and he did not know
when he would get one II Is stated that the matter
was not discussed al the dinner given TO Senator
Morton yesterday, except In way relating to the
Senator's connection with 1t. There were however,
others present. and 1t may be that the President re-
served the consid ration OF the matter until to-day,
when Governor fLorton had private interview with
him. the Gov ernor, however, protests that he does
not intend TO have anything to do with the matter
Governine' Snle Of Arms and Equipments.