The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-02
GENERAL WASHINGTON DEsPAT CHes.

WASHINGTON, Jan. !, 1878.
NEW YEARS DAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND
IN THE CITY-pRFsIDENT HAYES FIRST or
FICIAL LEvEE.
A brighter and more agreeable New Years Day
than this has never dawned upon the capital
AS q consequence moro than the usual num-
Der OF people were the streets. Callers were
many, and the receptions-oflcia and Otherwise
were very largely attended. Az tho Executive Man
sion little was observable beyond the usual routine
OF New YEARS. Day. The rooms still fragrant and
blooming with the floral decorations of last evening,
brilliantly lighted, and from the hour Of eleven
o'clock, at which time Tho Diplomatic Corps
was received until O'Clock in tho afternoon, when
the grand evoe ended, the East Room and the igor.
2eous blue red and parlors were resplendent In
thoir appearance with the bright iluminatons and
splendid panorama OF court costumes army and navy
uniforms the dazzling dresses Of the ladies present.
and the evergreen and floral show, that added 1T
Ito the beauty Of this New YEARS. picture. The
ception held In the Blue Paror after which the
callers passed through into the East Room, where
promenading and exchanges Of the seasons compli-
ments were continued
The President and Mrs. Hayes wero assisted in the
ceremonies of tho day by Mira MITCHELL Miss Platt,
Mrs. Breckenridge, Judge and Mrs Force, Mas
Foote, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. HERON. Mr.. Rogers, the
Presidents private secretary stood the left OF tho
President during the reception Tho toilets OF the
ladies' we're OF tho most elaborate character. Mrs.
Hayes was dressed In dove-colored ''princesse''
dress, combined with brown and brown ana
dove-colored damasse The neck was filed In
crisp tulle aud the sleeves were finished with lace
No ornaments were worn. The Marine Band
toned In the ante chamber, and as the foreign Am
bassadors full costume with ladies their re-
hOue aho1do nd tha Nahi a0lro
their wives entered the wide hail. enliven-
ing music filled tho air. and the reception opened with
splcndor equal 10 any ever held In the national
capital Prominently noted In the diplomatic
throng wero Sir Edward Thornton and Lady
Thornton, the japanese Ambassador and
his wife, the German, Russian and Turk.
ish Minister'S aud the many others, well known at.
taches Of the diplomatic corps thoroughly repre-
sented at the reception. Sehor Mamca, from the
Samoan islands, was also present No less imposing
In their display OF full Storms the officers OF
tho army and navy and marine corps. These different
branches OF the government service wero well repre-
scented. Among the prominent army officers
Adjutant General Townsend, General whippc,
OF General Sherman's staff; Assistant Ad-
jutant General Vincent, who will soon leave for
his new station Texas; General Poionze, General
Marcy, General Meiggs aud many others on duty at
this post The navy presented goodly array OF It's
personnel among whom were Aimirals Howell and
Ammen, Commodorcs Jc1ers aud Fopger, Cap
tain Bodger, Lieutenant Commanders Crownin-
shield and Kellogg, Medical Director Gunnell
and in fact all officers OF the service stationed IN the
various bureaus Of the War and Navy Departments In
this city; the Supreme Court; the Senate and House
OF Representatives. tho Judges Of the Court Of Claims
and Of tho District Courts; members Of prominent
civic associations; heads OIL bureaus Of tho
different Executive Dcpartments; the ascot
ated veterans Of 1912; the members Of the
Oldest Inhabitants Association, and delegation OF
tho Grand Army OF the Repubnc all ropresonto
and paid thcir respects in accordance with the official
schedule arranged for their reception At one o'clock
the general public was admitted ana an hour after
ward the last caller had shaken hands with Prcs
dent, and the first official lovee OF President Hayes
was over.
Tho members OF the Cabinet, with their families
received callers from one until three O'Clock In the
afternoon. The members OF the diplomatic corps
called upon Mr. Evars, alter their departure from the
Altogether tho receptions, private and official
throughout the city have been of n most pleasant
character Tho beauty oil the weather, Of course,
majority OF cases wines liquors were offered
callers. The day came TO a close, carrying with IL
pleasant memories OF the officials and private ctizens
Tue strangers and residents who have IN
the seasons enjoyment and have been hosts and
callers
An interesting feature of the days events were
the calls made by q delegation of Indians from tho
Union Agency, Indian Territory, In charge OF DR.. s.
W. Marston, Their agent The company Included del
egatcs FROM the Cnerokees, Creeks, Choctaws ana
Chickasaws and Seminoes. Upon their "Happy New
treaties made with them, expressive OF certain rights
guaranteed the Indians by the government, ana those
they lett with the President, the heads OF the DEPART
ments and others whom thoy called UPON.