The New York herald., 1871-03-10
Grand State Dinner to the Members al
the Executive Mansion.
Amaicable Relations Being Cul.
tivated Among the Ju-
veniie Attaches.
Young Fish Gives a Party to
Young Goderich.
The Universal Peace Society Astonishes
the Britishers With o Proposition
for General Disarmament.
WASHINGTON, March 0, 1871.

WASHINGTON, March o, 1871.
The session OF the Joint High Commission at the
State Department to-day was protracted until after
three O'Clock. The weather was rather warm for
this season OF the year, and the British Commsr
sloners complained OF the heat being oppressive,
The Executive Mansion this evening was scene Of
dazzling brilancy, the occasion being
THE GRAND STATE DINNER
in honor Of the Joint High Commission. The table
in the State dining hall was tasrerully adorned the
finest flowers In the conservatory having been
culled for the occasion and arranged in the most
striking combination In the form OF pyramids and
bouquets. The mantels ut either end OF the room
were decked with
THE AMERICAN coLoRs
the centre OF the table was occupied with the mag.
niGcent plateau extending nearly its whole LENGTH
ana from the sides Of this glltterng ornament
sprung light arches entwined with japonicas and
forming noral bower, terminating In a bouquet
artstlcally wrought OF delicate sprays Of mignon.
cites relieved by exotics OF various hues.
THE NUMBER OF GUESTS
was thirty-sx. At the plate OF each guest was
placed bouquet fixed In a ground glass vase rest
ing on a silver pedestal. About the table were
golden vases filled with heiotrope, japoncas and
lilies, from which were pendant fern leaves and
orange blossoms the whole forming de-
sign OF Oriental beauty. The guests were
seated at seven O'Clock. The centre seat
was occupied by the President, and on
his right were Lady Thornton, Sir Stafford
Northcoe, Mrs. Fish, Professor Montague Bernard,
ex-senator Williams Mrs. Delano and J. c. u. Davis.
On the left OF the President were Mrs. Colfax Sir
John A. Macdonald. General Schenck Mrs. Boutwell,,
Secretary Belknap. Secretary Delano ana Miss
Chandler. Opposite the President was Mrs. Grant,
and on her right Earl Dc Grey, Secretary Fish, Mrs.
Williams Sir Edward Thornton, Judge Hoar, Mrs.
Davis and Secretary Robson. On the lett OF MRS.
Grant were Vice President Colfax, Lady Macdonald,
Justice Nelson. Lord Tenterden, Mr.. Blaine secre.
tary Boutwell, and Miss Felt, guest Of the Presi-
dents family.
THE SEATS AT THE END OF THE TABLE,
to the right of the President, occupied by Miss
Schenck, Speaker Blaine and DR.. Sharpe, and to the
left by Attorney General Akerman. Mrs. Sharpe and
Postmaster General Creswell. At first there was q
disposition on the part OF the company to keep
SILENT but Secretary Fish, who Is always In the best
or humor about the festive board, entered into con-
to make his right hand neighbor, Mrs. Williams, do
her share OF
THE TALKING.
The remainder were not backward In coniributna
their share to the general conversation. At half
past nine the ladies, with such OF the gentlemen as
repaired to the Blue Parlor, while Secretaries Fish.
Belknap and DelanO, the Postmaster General and
Sir STAFFORD Norhcote grouped together In the pri-
yate dining room, engaged IN lively conversation
until ten O'Clock. % Earl ne cray, VINO was attired In
with all the insignia or his rank, particularly at.
tracted the attention OF the ladies. The other men
bers Of the British Commission wore fun evening
DRESS
TnE TorLErTEs or TIE LADIES
were elegant and elaborate At hal!-pas, len O'Clock
the guests retired. AS the one horse carriage
tainlng Judge Hoar and Attorney General Akerman
came unm nageabic. and, but for the presence OF
mind on the part OF Nh. Hoar,
SERIOUS ACCIDENT
might have happened TO both kir Akerman and him.
self. AS lt was they had q narrow escape; and,
preferring walk home in the rain TO the uncer.
tainty Of safe conveyance, they ooth iourneyed on
foot to their residence, on street.
This evening Hamilton FIsn Jr gaze dinner
count Goderich. The latter returned from MS duck
hunting expedition IN Maryland, having shot four
teen pairs OF redheads during his absence.
Tomorrow evening Secretary Fish will receive
number OF gentlemen, incuding the Commissioners.
TIE PEAcEAT:ANY rRIcE
people, who seem to regard the injuries Great
Britain inflicted on US during the rebellion aud the
honor OF America as secondary considerations, have
undertaken TO communicate their sentiments TO the
British members OF the Joint High Commission.
the following letter has been forwarded 70 The
British members OF the Commission here by the
Universal Peace Union OF this country
TO THE PRESIDENT DE, & AID , MrMnEns or THE ENGLISH
..HoSoRED Friends AND MEssEsGERs OF PEAcE-The
universal Icace with than
satisfaction welcome to this country at this time. We
give welcome for the high hope bring of early
and permanent settlement Of all disturbing questions a, ~
between your government and ours, and because
yogr coming ioresh1dows an era in the adjustment Of
international system Of arbitration which, trust. WIN
May you be strengthened with the KNOWLEDGE that the work
dence OF their approval, and that millions Of
:al @ Ms s s eo.Rsen as ss
arrange the prominent Questions in controversy
little thereon they are snbordna,e
would submit for consideration the proprey, IL
not necessy Of your proposing as the elimination Of your
two nations and the recommehaAtl0n for such .
that # your nation and would set example OF
such Christian civilization, other nations would follow
speedily and all be safer ard than
be under the military system, and, Offering
high prayerul desire that be guided
Alright this good peace friends tho
bonds OF common brotherhood,
Alfred H. Love, president, PHILADELPHIA; Lucrea Mott,
Philadelphia Levi K. Josln, Providence, r. J.; X. II. Will
Washington; Robert Dale Owen Indiana Lysander s.
Richards, Boston Jonathan Whippe Mystic Conn Aaron
NJ. Powell, New York; Joseph A. Dugdale, Iowa, and
Others Secretaries Henry T. Child, NJ. d. Lydia A. Scho.
field, Philadelphia.
Resolutions recommending disarmament to the
JOINT High Commission were adopted at q meeting
OF the Peace Society, Philadelphia, March 2.