Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-02-21
"REMINISCENCES OF WASHINGTON.
rBen: Perley Poore in March Atlantic.

occupants OF the Capitol and of the Executive
Mansion, or, as 1t has been called since the oc-
cupation OF Washington by the British, the
White House. The interior Of the building was
then burned and the exterior walls were so
blackenei by the smoke that they were painted
white 10 conceal the marks OF the confagration.
Mr. Adams, who had been defeated by the peo-
pie and whose election by the House of Repre-
sentatives was believed by many to have been
secured by bargain between his friends and
those OF Henry Clay, sought to concilatc his
opponents by attempting In his inaugural mes
sage to ignore party lines In this he followed
the example Of Mr.. Jefferson, who commenced
his administration, erected on the overthrow OF
his political antagonists, Win inc memorable
declaration ave have called by different names
brethren of the same principle: we are all re-
pubIicans-we are all federalStS." His early
appointments were made without regard to the
political opinions OF the appointee5, and he ap-
peared determined so to distribute his patron
age as neither to reward his parttsans nor to
prescribe his opRonen1!s hot nseeaq OF harmon
those who had been candidates with him, he an
tagonized each one with his administration at
THE earliest possible moment and before the eX-
piration OF his first year in the White House he
had wrecked the republican party left by Mon
roe as completely as his father had wrecked the
federal party established by Washington.
Mr.. Adams failure in the administration of
an Office for which he had been educated in
Spired him with Maynard and an obstinate
spirit of contrariety. He was honest, in the
common acceptance OF the word, yet his sense
OF political morality was so warped that he was
logged and daring without the advantages az
erulng Tom honestY. The federalists hated
him, because he had deserted their ranks in
which he naturally belonged; while the demo-
Gratis Tor republicans, as they called themselyes)
distrusted him. because they knew that at
heart he was their enemy. He was faithful to
his public duties, not only examining the de-
tails OF executive business, as it was transacted
In the different departments, but passing many
or his evenings In mechanically signing patents
and land-warrants. His annual and special
messages to Congress displayed immense 1nfor-
nation and profound reflection, but many OF
the recommendations made in them were cold
distractions, of no practical value, and they
were never needed.
The President had married, when in London,
Miss Louisa Catherine johnson. Her father was
an American by birth, but just before the Revo-
luton he went to England where he resided
until after the Independence OF the colonies had
been recognized. His brother, then the COVER
nor OF Maryland, obtained the passage of an act
by the Assembly OF that state establishing his
title to lands which would otherwise have been
confiScated, and he returned to the United
States, where he was appointed superintendent
OF revenue stamps. Mrs. Adams was well edu-
Gated highly accomplished, and well qualified
to preside over the domestic affairs at the White
House. She had four children-three sons and
daughter-of whom one only, Mr.. Charles
Francis Adams, survived her. 1t is related, as
evidence of her good sense. that on one occasion
Mrs. Mason, OF Analostan Island, called accom-
panied by two or three other ladies belonging to
the first families of Virginia, to enlist Mrs
Adams in behalf OF her SOn-in-laW. Lieutenant
Cooper afterwards adjutant general of the
United States army, and subsequently of the
confederate forces) who wanted to be detailed
as an aid-de-camp on the staff of General Nal
comb. Mrs. Adams heard their request and
then replied: "Truly, ladies, though Mesdamas
Maintenon and Pompadour are said to have con-
trolled the military appointments OF their times
i do not think such matters appertain to women
but If they did, and l had any influence with
Mr.. Adams, it should be given to Mrs. Scott
with Whom became acquainted while travel
ing last summer
Mr.. Adams private secretary was his son.
John Adams, who had inherited many of his
Pecul1aritieS, and who soon made himself very
obnoxious to the friends of General Jackson,
One evening Mr.. Russell Jarvis who then edited
the washington Ig Ielegragh, a newspaper which
ing-room" at the White House, e5corting his
wife and party of visiting friends from Boston.
to Mrs Adams, who received them courteously,
and then they passed on into the east room.
Soon afterwards they found themselves st1nd-
ing opposite to Mr.. John Adams who was con-
versing with the Rev. Mr.. Stetson. "Who is
that LADY," asked Mr.. Stetson. "That," replied
MIR. John Adams, in tone so loud that the
party heard it, sis the wife OF one Russell Jarvis
andif he knew how contemptibly he is viewed
in this house they would not be here" The
BOStOnianS at once paid their parting respects
to Mr.. ADAMS and Withdrew, MI. Jarvis having
first asceI tained from Mr.. Stetson that 1t was
Mr.. John Adams who had insulted them. A few
Gays afterwards MIR. Jarvis sent note to Mr..
Adams, demanding an explanation, by friend
Lean that he had no apology to make to Mr..
Jarvis, and that he wished no correspondence
with him. Considering his personal relations
with the President, he had no right to be at the
drawing room.
week later, Mr.. John Adams went to the
to each house Of Congress. Having delivered
that addressed to the Speaker of the House OF
Representatives, he was going through the TO-
tunda toward the Senate chamber, when he was
overtaken by Mr.. Jarvis. who pulled his nose and
slapped his face. A Scuf1le enSued but they
were quickly parted by Mr. Dorsey, repreSen-
fnti
Congress in special message of the occurrence,
and the GGs agP3nted select committee
elaborate reports were drawn up. but neither
the majority nor the minority recommended
that any punishment be inflicted upon Mr.. JAR
Wis.
occupied the White House. to his mothers niece,
Miss Mary HELEN. OF Washington. The cere-
mony was performed by Rev. DIR. Hawley, OF st.
Johns Church, and General Ramsay, who was
one Of the groomsmen, is authority for the state
ment that the President, usually so grave and
unsocial unbent for the nonce, and danced at
the wedding ball, in Virginia reel, with great
Mr.. Adams found the furniture of the White
House In a dilapidated condition. Thirty thou
sand dollars had been appropriated by Congress
for the purchase of new furniture during the
administration OF MI. Monroe; but his friend,
colonel Lane, commissioner OF public buildings,
TO whom he had Entrusted it. became inSOlvent,
and died largely in debt to the government,
having used the money for the payment OF his
DEBTS. instead OF procuring furniture. When
an appropriation OF fourteen thousand dollars
was made, to be expended under the direction
OF Mr.. Adams, for furniture, he took charge OF 1t
himself, and one OF his first acts was to bay the
silver plate OF Mr.. Crawford. This was severely
criticised by the democratic press as was the
purchase OF billiard-table for the White House.
about which so much was said that Mr.. John
Adams finally paid the bill from his own pocket.
Mrs. Adams won popularity at Washington by
the graceful manner in which she presided over
the hospltalitie5 OF the White House. The still
RIM a 6rl -3TNfr. Of lFr. 80
ipgton and Mrs. John Adams. and the free-and-
easy receptions" OF Mr.. JeferSon'S daughters.
had been combined by Mrs. Madison into what
she christeHed 'eveeS." at which all ceremoni-
Gus etiquette was banished and no acquisitions
were made beyond those which regulated good
society in private houses. Mrs. Monroe who
had mingled in the fashionable circles of Lon.
don and Paris, as well as OF her native city OF
New York, had continued these evening leyees:
and Mrs. Adams, in turn, not only kept up the
CUSTOM but improved the quality of the refresh
mentS. which were handed around on walters
by servants. state dinners were also given
during the sessions OF Congress, to which such
Senators and Representatives as had called at
the White House 10 pay their respects were in
yited, and Mrs. AdaIHS LEFT no opportunity IN
improved for making the administration OF her
husband popular.
Mr.. Adams used to rise between four and six
O'Clock, according TO the season., and either take
ride on horseback, or walk TO the Potomac
river, where he bathed remaining In the water
1Nr,r s-,tl he.