Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1922-03-16
new YEAR LEvEE
President Washington's Recep-
ton at the White House.
Friendly Greetings Of Citizens, II 10
Recorded, Greatly Pleased the
! First Chief Executive.

'Tn the Republican Court" volume
published In 1854 by D. Appleton &
Company dealing with the administra-
tion Of Washington, appears the fol-
lowing interesting description of New
Years activities Of 1870, and partic-
ularly the manner of observing New
Years at the White House, where
Martha Washington, the ever-con-
niderate spouse, dismissed her guests
at 9 o'clock In order that her "gen-
erals" slumber might not be interfered
with:
The winter Of 1789-o0 was warmer
than any which the oldest inhabitants
could remember. In the last week Of
December and the first Of January
gardeners and farmers on the island
Of Manhattan were plowing, and women
appeared in the streets Of the city in
their summer dresses. The pleasant
custom Of making New Years calls had
long obtained in most Of the countries
Of continental Europe, and 1t was
brought to New York by both the Dutch
and the Huguenots. who had preserved
1t as one Of their peculiar institutions,
which never could be naturalized in
towns Of more purely English origin
and population.
On Friday, the first Of January,
1870, we are informed by the late
venerable John Pintard, who was then
q young man Of fashion, and a close
observer, the President was waited
upon by the principal gentlemen of the
metropolis. The day was uncommonly
mild and agreeable, even for that year
Of perpetual verdure, and the great
festival Of friendship was never kept
more universally or with a livelier
qualification. The visitors Of the
President, after an interchange Of the
usual salutations Of the day, withdrew,
delighted at his gracious manner.
WashInqton's Stately Bearing.
1t Is not known, though Mr.. Pintard
assures us that a majority Of them
were personally unacquainted with
him, that there were any to complain
Of such a stately bearing as about this
sit, but It appears from Mr.. Pintard's
diary that, on this night, at least, there
were chairs In the rooms where Mrs.
Washington saw her guests, for "after
they were seated" tea and coffee, and
plum and plain cake, were dispensed
by the attending servants. She re-
marked, while speaking Of the days
occurrences, that none Of them had
90 pleased the general (by which title
she always designated her husband)
las the friendly greetings Of the gentle
men who called upon him at noon.
To an inquiry by the President
whether such observances were casual
or customary, it was answered that
New Years visiting had always been
maintained in the city. He paused a
moment, and then observed: "The
highly favored situation Of New York
will, In the process Of years, attract
numerous emigrants. who will gradual
ly change Its ancient customs and
manners; but, whatever changes take
place, never forget the cordial and
cheerful observance Of New Years
day"
Mrs. Washington had stood by his
side as the visitors arrived and were
presented, and when the clock in the
hail was heard striking 8, she ad-
vanced, and with a complacent smile
said. "The general always retires at
o. and I usually precede him." upon
which all arose, made their parting
salutations, and withdrew.