Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-13

W come the national
Ass n VII capital only the year
RS N before. This fact,with
AZ. Fl - the additional one
>~/ that jefferson was
the first democratic
or in the phrase of
That day republican, candidate elected to
the presidency, would probably have drawn
large crowd to witness his Inauguration,
mad he not expressed his desire that it
should be entirely devoid of ceremony and
without any form save such as was abso-
iuteiy required by the Constitution. At the
time of his inauguration he was living at
Mr. Conrads, who kept large boarding
house in the block of buildings built bv MIR.
Law on the west side of New Jersey ave-
nue. between Il and C streets, one square
from the Capitol grounds, where he had re-
sided during his term of Vice President I'M
der John Adams.
mere is no truth in the story told of his
r,dhs up pennsylvania avenue to the Cap
i'oi' hitchins his horse to a sapling in
front of it," etc. Jeffersons simplicity did
not even require a horse. He had only a
short distance to go, and he walked it.
Starting from his boarding house a few
minutes before noon, accompanied by five
were also his fellow boarders he walked up
New Jersey avenue to the Capitol where
he was met by a committee of the Senate,
VINO escorted him into the chamber when
he took the oath of office administered; bv
the chief justice, and then delivered his
inaugural address. At it's conclusion lie
was congratulated by his democratic friends
and also by some of the federal statesmen
present, who were agreeably surprised hy
the moderation of his address, The ncys
PRESIDENT then walked home, and at dinner
occupied his usual seat at the foot of the
table There was naturally some reference
10 the recent ceremony, and IA gentleman
from Baltimore who happened TO be a guest
that day begged leave Ito wish him Joy"
Jefferson replied, with a smile, Il would
ADVISE you to follow my example on nuptial
occasions, when / always tell the bride
groom ] Will wait till the end OF the year
before offering my congra tuiatlons."
The Simplicity Platform.
Having adopted the simplicity platform
Jefferson adhered to it all through his adj
ministration in all political and even social
details. The etiquette of the Washington
ana Adams administrative was abolished
and there was no distinction of persons
recognized at the White House There were
no formal receptions but on certain DAYS
OF the week any one who wanted to see
the President was admitted, and On the
Ist OF January and the Fourth of July the
Executive Mansion was thrown omen to
all Corners. and bountiful repast provided
FOR those who chose to partake. The change
from the form and ceremony OF his pre-
decessors was exceedingly dstasteful TO
many VINO had enjoyed the privileges of the
inner circle, and especially to the foreign
diplomats who, representing European roy
alties. were much disguised with The prIm-
tive customs of the Jeffersonian era
Their correspondence is full of adverse
CRITICISMS on this subject. Among those
who discussed 1t most freely and severely
was Sir Augustus Foster. a young English
man, who was secretary of legation under
the British minister, McMcrry in 1904 He
subsequently returned to this country as
minister. in 1911, and remained until war
was declared in 1872. On his first arrival
In TINS country he seems to have been very
much shocked at the crudities of American
society, but after he had been here some
tlme ne appears to have become somewhat
reconciled to his surroundings. and TO have
looked at us through more favorable glasses
tie did not think much OF the federal city
at first. but after visiting several OF the
northern cities he came to the conclusion
mat II was the most agreeable town to
reside in for any length of time" The at
fractions of the bellies Of the District seem
to have had some influence In this decision
for he says: There is no want of handsome
ladies' for the balls. especially at George
town. indeed, 1 never saw prettier giri3
anywhere"
Pen sketch of Jefferson.
As diplomat. he, Of course saw much OF
cur public men, and he has left some
graphic descriptions of them. He thus Dor
trays the President in 1904: 'He was a tall
man. with very red. freckled face and
gray neglected hair; his manners good ma
tured. frank and rather friendly though he
had somewhat of cynical expression of
countenanc:. lie wore blue coat a thick
gray-colored hairy waistcoat with a red
under waistcoat tapped over it. green vel
Neteen brooches with pearl buttons yarn
stockings and slippers down at the heels bis
appearance being very much like that of a
tai, raw-boned farmer. He said ne washed
MS feet as often as he did his hands in ar
der to keep OFF cold and appeared to think
himself unique in 50 doing. Mr.. jefferson
father was a land surveyor. who lived some
time in Pennsylvania, and thence went
To establish himself AT Monticello i'm Vir-
ginia, where land was cheap and where he
bought an estate for loo guineas; but /
could meet nobody who could tell from what
country he originally came, or could trace
him to his early years"
Most any Nirginian Of that day could have
told him that Thomas jefferson was the san
OF Peter JeeTrson, whose remarKa BILE rlys-
ical strength made him famous throughout
the state. Peters father was born near
Snowdcn. in Wales. 1t is 4 somewhat sin
grlar coincidence that Peter jefferson like
George Washington, was a land surveyor
In 1t3b he obtained Il patent for 900 acres
CT land On the Rivanna river His estat.
was adjoined by that of William RandoInb
from whom he purchased 400 acres the con-
sderation for which, as expressed in the
deed. was Henry Weatherbourne's biggest
fowl of arrack punch" The TWO We're NOT
only neighbOrs. but warm friends and il is
probable that Ii was al William Randolph's
house that Peter jefferson first met VIII
Hams fair cousin. the eldest daughter of
isham Randolph of Dungeness, Va, whom
he married In 173s, and who was the mother
OF the author Of the Declare ton of indie
pendence.
Thomas Jefferson seems to have inherited
some of his fathers physical force for we
are told by ore of his biographers that
such were his strength and agility. that
he was accustomed, in the society of chill
dren, OF which he was fond to practice
feats that few could initiate
Diplomatic Corps In 1904.
According to Sir Augustus Foster the
diplomatic corps received scant courtesy at
the hands of Mr.. Jefferson. Mr.. Merry. the
English envoy, felt himself highly INSULT
because at the first state dinner to which
he and his wife were invited on the an
nouncement of dinner the President gave
his arm to the lady he happened TO he
nearest to instead of Mrs. Merry; the mem
bers of his cabinet followed his example
leaving the astonished Enelishman and his
wife to get into the dining room, 90 ho.x