Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-11-25
Reception OF Duke Alexis.

washington, Nov. 23.-Long before one o.
clock throng of people congregated upol
the portico of the executive mansion to wit
ness the arrival of the Grand Duke. Many
ladies were present; but with the exception
of representatives of the press, no one wa.
admitted to the anti-rOom through which the
Duke and suite would pass to the blue paror
where the reception by the President took
place. Soon after twelve o'clock member OIL
the Cabinet, with their wives, began to ar
rive, the first being Secretary and Mr.. De
lano, followed at short intervals by the At
torney- General and Mrs. Akerman, Secretary
Boutwell, and Secretary Robson. At one
o'clock the excitement by the throng outside
betokened the arrival of the royal visitor, and
and the doors of the mansion were thrown
wide open. As the party alighted from their
carriages cheer went up from those assembled
on the portico. The Grand Duke acknowl-
edged the salutations by turning when he
reached the door and removing his cap. He
entered the ante room in company with Min
lister Catacazy and Admiral Possiet, all in
complete official regaha, followed by the
members of the suite, who were also in naval
ately ushered into the parlors, and the Presi-
dent with Secretary Fish, Postmaster Gen.
eral Creswell, Generals Porter, Babcock and
Dent, and Marshal Sharpe came down stairs
from the executive Office and passing through
the ante-rooms proceeded to the reception
parlor where the ceremonies took place.
Minister Catacazy first presented the Grand
Duke to the President. They shock hands
and the Duke said that it afforded him much
pleasure to meet the chief of the nation with
whom his own was on intimate terms of friend
ship. The President cordially welcomed and
expressed the hope that his sojourn in this
country would be both pleasant and crafty
ing. The Duke then presented the members
Of his suite to the President, and the Presi-
dent in turn presented the members of his
Cabinet and his official attendants, Generals
Porter, Dent and Babcock to the Duke.
After the intrOductions were concluded the
President escorted the Grand Duke to the
red parlor, where Secretary Fisk presented
him to the ladies, viz Mrs. Grant and Miss
Nellie Grant, Mrs. Akerman, Mrs. Delano,
Mrs. Sharpe and Miss Bessie Sharpe, and
also to Mr.. Dent, the father Of Mrs. Grant.
The other part of the company followed into
the red parlor, where a brief but general con-
versation took place among all parties, the
Duke addressing himself especially to Mrs.
Grant. The interview lasted only fifteen
minutes, when the distinguished visitors left
the executive mansion. The Grand Duke
walked in front as on entering, and was
CHteTeu ny the crown ON the outside as he
reached the portico. He and Minister Cata-
cazy aud Admiral Possiet took seats in the
same open carriage. The Duke lifted his
cap as the carriage drove from the premises.
The suite, in carriages, follow ed-all return
ing to Minister Catacazy's residence. The
parlors of the executive mansion, where the
Grand Duke was received, were luxuriantly
decorated with flowers.
There will be no formal entertainment given
to the Duke in this city. T enc crow M. m
ing he proceeds to Annapolis in p cial train,
returning to Washington in time To leave for
New York in the afternoon. The following
programme has been laid out November 25,
General McDowelrs reception in New York
and visits to the forts in the harbor; Goth,
rest; 27th, visit to the navy yard and opera
in the Academy; 2Sth, review of the fire de-
partment GALL the engines start at a given sig
nal, as at fire, and play on one of the
squares); navy yard ball; Goth, Central
Park; reception ball; 30th, Thank giving;
December l, West Point; I'd, Academy of
Design and Admiral Possiet's reception. In
the evening portrait of Farragut will be
presented to Alexis as the representative of
the Emperor of Russia. The portrait is by
Berstadt and valued at $4,000
Philadelphia, Nov. pa committee has
been appointed, of which General Meade is
chairman, to make arrangements for the recep-
ton of Alexis. There will be parade of the
first division of the Pennsylvania militia and
those of the surrounding counties of New
Jersey, the fire department, civil societies.
etc.