Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-03-14
Washington as President.

by o2mDaring the following ac-
| count OF now washington lived and
acted while President, WITH tlIv, -f,sa--
ent social customs at the White House,
the reader may ascertain how much
backward progress mas been made in
Republican simplicity;"
After a great deal OF talking and
writing, and controversy, about the
permanent seat of Congress, it was
determined that Philadelphia should
be honored with its presence for ten
| years, and that afterWard its perma-
nent location should be In the city of
! Washington.
In the meantime, the Federal city
was IN building, and the Legislature
of Pennsylvania voted a sum of money
to build a house for the President,
perhaps with some hope that this
might help TO keep the seat of the
General Government in the Capitol,
for Philadelphia was then considered
as the capital Of the State. What was
lately the University of Pennsylvania,
was the STRUCTURE erected for this pgr-
pose.
But as soon as Gen. Washington saw
its dimensions, and a good while be-
fore If was finished, he let it beknOWn
that he would not Oecupy-that he GER
tainly should not go to the expense Of
purchasing suitable furniture for such
a dwelling; for it is to understood, in
those days of stern republicanism, no
body thought Of Congress furnishing
the Presidents house: or if perchance
Uch thought did enter into some
aristOcratic head, it was too unpopular
to be uttered.
President Washington, therefore,
rented a house of Mr.. Robert Morris,
in Market street, between Fifth and
Sixth streets, on the south side, and
furnished il handsomely, bus not gor-
geously. There he lived with Mrs.
Washington, Mr.. Lear, his private
secretary, and his wife, and Mrs.
Washington's grandson, Custis, MAX
ing part of the family. Young Gus
It's had d private tutor, employed by
the President, who was engaged to
attend on his pupil one hour in the
winter mornings before breakfast, and
who then commonly breakfasted with
the President and his family.
The President ate Indian cakes for
breakfast, after the Virginia fashion,
although buckwheat cakes were gem
orally on the table. WashingtOn's |
dining parties were entertained in a l
very handsome style. His weekly !
dining day, for company, was Thurs
day, and his dining hour was always |
four o'clock in the afternoon. His /
rule was to allow five minutes for the /
variation Of clocks and watches, and /
then 90 to the table, be present or alb |
sent whoever might. He kept his /
own clock in the hail, just within the
outward door, and always exactly |
regulated, When tagging members
of Congress came in, as they often did,
after the guests had sat down to din
ner, the Presidents only apology I
was, "Gentlemen (or siT), we are too
punct1al for you. | have a cook who |
never asks whether the company has
come, but whether the hour has
come"
The company usually assembled in
the drawing-room, about fifteen or
twenty minutes before dinner, and
the President spoke to every guest
personally on entering the room.
He was always dressed in a suit of
black, his hair powdered, and tied in
a black queue behind, with a very
elegant dress sword, which he wore
with inimitable grace. Mrs. Wash
ington often, but not always, dined
with the company, sat at the head Of
the table, and if, as was occasionally
the case, there were other ladies pres
ent, they sat each side of her.
The private secretary sat at the foot
of the table, and was expected to be
quietly attentive to all the guests.
The President himself sat half way
from the head to the foot of the table,
and on that side he would place Mrs. L
Washington, though distant frorrfl
him, ON his right hand. He always, 4
unless clergyman were present at /
his own table, asked a blessing in a
standing posture. If a clergyman |
were present, he was requested both |
to ask blessing and to return thanks |
after dinner.