Evening star., 1870-01-01
NEW YEARS RECEPTIONS
GALA DAY IN WASHINGTON.

A GALA DAY IN WASHINGTON.
The first day of the year 1870 did not bring
with il the bright sunshine which has made
Washington 80 pleasant for the last four or five
days, bat, although the sky was clOuded, the
temperature was mild, and the streets clear
alike OF mud and dust, making pedestrianism
not only possible, but delightful. As cOnse-
quence the receptions were crowded, from the
grand levee at the Executive Mansion down to
the "open houses" Of our fellow-citizens Smith,
Jones, and Brown.
The Presidents Reception.
The reception at the Executive Mansion COM
menced at II O'Clock, at which hour the mem
bers Of the Cabinet were received, then followed
the Diplomatic Corps, Senators and Representa-
tives, Judges OF the United States Supreme
Court, the Court of Claims and District Su-
preme Court, officers of the Army, Navy and
Marine Corps, Association of Survivors Of War Of
1872 and Oldest Inhabitants Association, and at
half-past II o'clock the gates were thrown open
to the general public. Between the hours of IL
and 12 O'Clock the scene presented in the par
lors and East room was a brilliant one, the rich
costumes OF the Diplomatic Corps, uniforms of
the Army and Navy officers, and elegant dresses
Of the ladies, forming a display that will bear a
favorable comparison with any former new
years reception.
The President stood in the Blue Parlor. near
the entrance from the Red Room, with Marshal
Sharp on his left by whom visitors were pre-
sented.
Mrs. Grant stood near the centre of the ROOM
with General Michler on her left, who presented
the visitors Oher. She was assisted i'm receiv-
ing by. Mrs. Smith, Of Washington, Pa, her
cousin; Mrs. General Porter, Mrs. Marshal
Sharp and Mrs. General Dent. The President
was assisted by Vice President Colfax i'm enter-
tanning the visitors.
Among the many distinguished persons pres
ent were Secretaries Fish, Boutwell,, Cox,
Belknap, Postmaster General Cresswell and
Assistant Secretary Richardson and their wives,
also Secretary RObesOn.
OF the Diplomatic Corps there were Mr.. Ed
ward Thornton, the British Minister, and wife;
Don Manuel Garcia, Minister from the Argen-
tine Republic, and Mrs. Garcia; Baron Iederer,
the Austrian Minister; Senior Mariscal. the Mex
ican Minister; Blacque Bey, the Turkish Min
lister, and wife; Mr.. Rangabee, Charge dAf-
fairs Greece; Gen. Alexander Tate, Charge
dAffairs Hayti; Don Manuel Freyre, the Peru
Wan Minister; Baron Gerolt, the Prussian Min
lister, and his wife: Mr.. Catacazy, the Russian
Minister; COmte de Taverney, Charge DAT
fairs France; Mr.. Billie, the Danish Minister;
Mr.. Mazel, Minister from the Netherlands, and
Mrs. Mazel; Senior Roberts, the Spanish Min
ister; General Acosta, Minister from the United
States Of Colombia; Count Lewenhaupt, Charge
dAfiairs Sweden and Norway; Senior Soil
yeres, Of the Spanish Legation; Mr.. Fame, Of
the English Legation; LIE Comte de Turennc, OF
the French Legation; SenOr GOnsalyes, the
Brazilian Minister, and many other Secretaries
- attaches Of the various legations.
Of the Supreme Court there were Chief JUS
tice Chase, Associate Justices Nelson, Grier
Clifford, Swayne, Miller, Davis, and Field, and
wives, and ID. w. Middleton, Clerk; Chief Jus
tice Cartier, Associate Justices Fisher, wylie,
and Oln, Of the District Supreme Court. and
ladies; Senators Morton, Corbett, Wilson,
Stewart and daughter, Williams and wife.
Chandler, Hamlin, Morrill, of Vermont, Ram
sey, Ross, Sawyer, SchurZ, and others; Repre-
sentatives Welker, Beck, Hooper, Eldridge,
Poland, Trimble, Morgan, Van Horn, Clarke of
Kansas, Finkelnburg, Judd, Kerr, and others.
OF the Army there were present Generals
Sherman, Townsend, Williams, Thomas,
Ekin, SIcFerran, Brice, Barnes, Breck, Vim
cent, Dunn, Kelton, Co!onels Audenreid, Day
ton, Mack, and many other officers OF less
rank.
OF the Navy there were NiGe-Admiral Porter
Rear-Admirals Smith, Davis, GOldsborough,
and Lee; CommOdores Sands, Case, Alden;
Captain Daniel Ammen, besides a very large
number of naval and marine officers of less note
Generals Porter, BabcOck. and Dent Of the
Presidents STAFF and their ladies were in the
blue room, and assisted in receiving thefvisitOrs.
Mrs. Grant was attired in a rich black Lyons
silk velvet with train, high bodice, black satin
and lace trimmings, black satin sash, diamonds
and pearls.
Mrs. Secretary Belknap wore a green gros
grain silk, with deep black lace hOunce, and
black lace shawl.
Mrs. Smith, Of Washington, Penn, guest at
the Executive Mansion, wore pearl silk trim
mings Of white satin and white lace.
Mrs. DIR. Sharp wore a blue gros grain silk,
with white satin trimmings.
Mrs. General Porter wore rich black velvet
trimmed with folds of black satin.
Miss Nellie Grant wore pink silk pOplin, with
pink satin trimmings, and entered the parlor
leaning on the arm Of her brother, Ulysses, Jr
Mrs. General Dent wore a lavender silk with
white satin trimmings.
The Richmond Press Club, with their
brethren Of the Washington press, were received
by the President ~ cut noon, as per arrange
ment previously ,l,de. The gentlemen were
presented to the PI ident by Arthur Shepherd.
Tsg, O1 tne HeA Atc0H, anu seemed much
pleased with their visit to the White House.
The President si,o. each one cordially by the
hand, after which they remained for some time
In the parl0rs aud east room.
Upon Openin gates for the general recep-
tion the crow,s { an to pass through and until
two o'clock TIE ',uilding was thronged, among
the callers being large number of ladies. At
two O'Clock, in accordance with the orders Of
the President issued yesterday, the reception OF
the cOlored people commenced.
Major Richards and Captain Brock, Of the
metropolitan Police, were present during the
reception hours, and force OF fifty policemen
under Lieutenant Hurley were on duty about
the building to prevent any blockading Of the
doorways or handling Of the furniture. The
carriages approached the Executive Mansion
by the east gate and departed by the west;
hence there was no confusion, although there
was a very large number within the Enclosure
at one time.
The full Marine band, under Prof Scala, was
in attendance, and during the reception per-
formed q number OF choice selections Of music,
adding much to the entertainment ofthe callers.
All visitors entered by the main eStrance and
departed by the platform leading firm the hall