The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1881-01-21
United States Laws Regordin0 Dress.

In 1917 the United States had a uni
iorill aeslgned to meet the usages of Eu-
ropean courts, OF. the recommendation
Of slie mission to Ghent in the year 1917.
IN Niileh the United States Ministers
costumes were fixed as follows: A blue
COAL hned with white silk. straight
standing cape embroidered with gold.
slheie-breasted, straight OF round but
ton-holes, slightly embroidered. Buttons
palus or II they can be had, with the
aIenlsrists eagle stamped upon them, i
q an eagle flying, with wreath in his
month, grasping lightning in orc of its
tdons- Cuffs embroidered in the man
ner of tn. cape, white cashmere
bReches; gold knee-buckles. white silk
steklDgs and gold or gilt shoe-b buckles.
Asthfee- -coTnered chapeau bras, not so
lage as those used 10y the French, nor
s0 ~ MS those used by the English. a
biss.- ,ckade to which an eagie MAS
afterusGd attached. Sword, etc, cor
responding.
The Secretaries of Legation had the
same costume, with the exception that
their pats had less embroidery than
those the Ministers. Fol the grand
gala dgs at court, where the occasion
was geater than an ordinary levee, n
coat SIMILAR TO that above described, but
embroHlered round the skirts and down
the breast as we'll as at the cuffs and
cape vas recommended The coats were
distinguished as the great and the small
uniform 4 whlto ostrich feather, or
plumet was recommended for the Min
ister's hat not standing erect, but sewed
round the brim.
The above dress prevailed from the
date ofits promulgation on November 6,
1877. until Governor VIM. l.. Marcy in
1853. issued a circular doing away with
such uniforms in n great degree, as fol-
lows:
'DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WAsHISGroN, June l, 1853.
.n ddition to tho Personal Instructions
20 the Diplomatic Agents Of the United States
to Foreign Countries, the following are here
after 10 be observed:
In performing the ceremonies observed on
the occasion Of his reception, the representa-
tive ofthe United States will conform, so far "a
Is consistent with just sense OF his devotion
to republican institutions, to the costume Of
the country wherein he is 10 reside. and with
the rules prescribed for representatives OF his
rank but tie Department would encourage a.
far as is Practicable without impairing his
usefulness b his country, his appearance at
court in the ample dress OF an American citi-
zen Should there be cases where this cannot
be done. owiig TO the character Of the foreign
Government without detriment TO the public
interest the Iearcst approach to II compatible
with the due performance Of his duties Is earn
estly recomn ended. The simplicity OF ON
usages and tie tone OF feeling among our peo-
pie Is much more In accordance with the exam
pie OF Our1rst and most disguishcd representa-
tive lt a Royal Court than the practice which
has since prevailed II If 10 be regretted that
there was ever any departure in this respect
from the example Of DR.. Franklin. History
has recorded and commended this example. so
congonial - the spirit Of our political institu-
tions. The Department Is desirous OF removing
all obstacles TO return to the simple and unos-
tentati0us course which was deemed SO proper
and was SO much approved in the earlier days
OF tie Republic 1t Is our purpose to cultivate
the most amcable relations with all countries,
and this. we believe, can be effcctually done
without requiring our diplomatic agents abroad
70 dolsrt in this respect from what Is suited TO
the 4ueraI sentiments Of our fellOw-citizens at
homs All instructions III regard TO what is
called diplomatic uniform or court-dress being
withdrawn. each of our representative in other
countries will be left to regulate this matter
according to his own sense Of proprIety. and
with due respect to the views OF his Govern
ment AS herein expressed. w. /. MARcY.'
In an act of Congress approved March
y. 1867. it was declared that officers
who had served during the late war as
volunteers in the army of the United
States. should be entitled to bear the
official title of their rank, and wear, upon
occasions of ceremony, the uniform of
the highest grade they had held by bre-
vet or other cOmmissions.-N York
(Y0'EiCg