The Van Buren press., 1902-12-20
PRESIDENTIAL HOSPITALITY
A New Year Reception Given b,
Thomas jefferson when He Wa
President of the United states.

u II.
The ideal reception century ago
rounded up with "A feed Feed
included liquid refreshments, and
these insured some remarkable
scenes at times, incidents Of which
annotate, if they do not enrich, the
history Of those early days.
OF these cumbersome and ceremo.
NOUS affairs only the incidents come
down to us in many instances and de-
tail is left TO the imagination, but in
one of those remarkable letters which
the men and women OF the eary
years Of the century knew so well
how to write senator from New
York has left clear picture OF
New Year reception given by Thomn
jefferson. This letter is dated Jan
uary 81, 1907, and its writer, Samue
Latham Mitchell, was physician
statesman, man of eminent learn
ing, and termed by many the "Nesto'
Of American science After several
terms in the house he was elected 10
the United States senate. In letter
to Mrs. Smith, the wife Of his col.
league in the senate, he sketched The
following word picture Of a New
Year day at the executive mansion'
"Thc greatest exhibition in Wash.
ington is the leyee OF Mr.. Jefferson
on New Year day. A large number
OF the fashionable and respectable
persons here make il point to visit
the president on January !, and that
gentleman Is always civil enough 10
be Mt home and receive them. II is
the only great leyce day that there
is at our court, and on this occasion
the company assemblies voluntarily
without invitation,
"Of the pcrsonagcs present OBJ
served the king and queen Of the
Mcndanese tribe OF Indians, living
about 1000 miles up the Missouri
river. His ma icsty was dressed in a
sort OF rcgimcntal coat given him BY
the government since his arrival and
her ma jcsty, wrapped in blanket
sat on one OF the sofas in the grea'
audience chamber and received the
visits of the ladies aud people Of
quality, When | had the honor OF
being introduced 20 her she did MOI
rise, nor did she quit her seat during
any part Of the ceremony
Another person Of distinction Wa
the French minister This gre'l
military character is Distinguish
by the uncommon size and extern
his whiskcrs, which cover the great
err pnrt Of his checks, and by the prol
fusion OF lace that covers ms iull'
dress cont, His lady was not VIII
him on account Of n rupture wh'"
happened little before at 'ns
commencement OF the session VI
congress between Gen, r. and tn'
consort OF the French minister ",
had withdrawn from his hon" anu
society, and passes her time ~ P''s
cnt In n humble and solitary wa! "
the ncighborlng village OF ueo'g'
town, In consequence OF ms "','w,
dcrstnnding the minister hOu'
said, attempted TO ship of MS mul
90 France, She refused 10 snD'nn
this, made nn outcry, olarneu W.
ncighborhood and brought noo "
her house, and finally made ne,
cape from her gallant spouse anu W.
ever since been deprived the p'c'''
Of his company,
"Thc greater part of the ""a,~
were there. and the few whose WV.
were In town brought them ,n''
10 partnkc of this great ex'lioI'"
So II was with the principle hee"
the executive departments OF
gocernmcnt and their help"'v
They came forth on this grono ""
sion to pay the homage of 'nc, N,
spects to the chief magistrate :" .s
nation. The members OF the avS .,%,s
Of representatives, the rcswvw oi
resident inhabitants, the o0ce'.
the army and navy, the stranp',s IN
consideration who happened 70 n,c
the city and the Osagc Indians .a,a %a
and women, little and big crow,
to the prcsidnct's house TO- p'''rN, IN,
IN the fcstivity Of the morh,op, 4.
day was very favorable ana Wv am
scmhluge brilliant, as yoo "o'
pose, nr
vailed, and YOU may easily 1 WV ,NAI
wherefore when II Is conp",,e" ,,. opNI
besides the smiles OF cordlolnl y.ll
welcome which the company rn. lrs.
from their generous ch'e' ",r,S|
they consumed for him w. ,n
cask Of wine, q barrel Of pups" ,ds.|
a hundredweIght OF cake pes 'sD,
other knlclknncks 10 cohs'""n,srlsl
amount, While The REFRESH" re'.," cort
were passing around ana '"s and 81
pony helping themselves ~ v' MAR
music entertained them WV" M
tIai and cnllvcnlng airs nn,o, ,,De u
hour Of dining the assen'o'IS xI,l
people dispersed, well p'cas.' ,rcrs
their manner Of spending 'n' isStr
Ing and In high hope that M ". rssr
son might long continue 10 's.ss
idsntiai chair."--Washlpg'o'