The Monticellonian., 1902-12-25
PRESIDENTIAL HOSPITALITY.
A New Year Reception Given by Thomas Jefferson When He Was
 President of the United States.

President of the United States.
 The ideal reception q 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- nious 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 early years of the century knew so we'll how to write senator from New York has left clear picture of a New Year reception given by Thomas Jefferson. This letter is dated Jan uary 31, 1907, and it's writer, Samuel Latham Mitchell. was a physician statesman, man of eminent learn ing, and termed by many the "Nestor of American science" After several terms in the house he was elected to the United States senate. In a 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 mansions;
 "The greatest exhibition in Wash ington is the levee of Mir. Jefferson on New Year day. A large number of the fashionable and respectable persons here make it point to visit .1, In h., gentleman is always civil enough to be at home and receive them. Ii is the only great leyee day that there is at our court. and on this occasion the company assemblies voluntarily without invitation
 "Of the peraonages present I ob- served the king and queen of the Mendanese tribe of Indians. living about 1,600 miles up the Missouri river. His majesty was dressed in a sort of regimental coat given him by the government since his arrival, and her majesty, wrapped in blanket, sat on one of the sofas in the great audience chamber and received the visits of the ladies and people of
 
 being introduced to her she did not rise, nor did she quit her seat during any part of the ceremony.
 Another person of distinction was the French minister. This great military character is distinguished by the uncommon size and extent of his whisLers, which cover the great CT part of his cheeks, and hy the pro fusion of lace that covers his full dress coat His lady was not with him on account of rupture which happened q little before at the commencement of the session of congress between Gen. T. and the consort of the French minister she had withdrawn from his house and society, and passes her time at pres ent in q humble and solitary way in the neighboring village of George town. In consequence of this misun- derstanding the minister had. it is said. attempted to ship eff his lady to France. She refused to submit to this. made an outcrY. alarmed the neghborhood and brought mob to her house, and finally made her es- cape from her gallant spouse and has ever since been deprived the pleasure of his company
 "The greater part of the senator's were there. and the few whose wives were in town brought them thither to partake of this great exhibition. So ii was with the principle heads of the executive departments of the government and their helpmeets. They came forth on this grand occa- sion to pay the homage of their re- spects to the chief magistrate of the nation The members of the house of representatives. the respectable resident inhabitants. the officers of the army and navy, the strangers of consideration who happened to be in the city and the Osage Indians, men to the presidnet's house to partake in the festiyity of the morning. The day was very favorable and the as- sembage brilliant, as you may sup pose.
 "Great mirth and good humor pre- vailed, and you may easily conceive wherefore when it is comnuted that besides the smiles of cordiality ar1 welcome which the company received from their generous entertainer they consumed for him quarter cask of wine. barrel of punch and hundredweight of cake, besides other knickknaeks to considerable amount. While the refreshments were passing around and the com pany helping themselves band of music entertained them with mar l tial and enlivening airs. Before the hour of dining the assemblage of people dispersed. we'll pleased with their manner of spending the morn ing and in high hope that Mir. Jeffer- son might long continue in the pres . idential chair. ir.'-Washingtor Star.