N.P. Willis Describes President Tyler’s New Year’s Reception

One of the distinguished guests of President Tyler at the New Year’s reception of 1844, was the poet, N. P. Willis, who afterward wrote the following account of his experience on that occasion:

“New Year’s Day has passed, and never was a brighter and gayer anniversary seen in the metropolis. The sun shone out in unusual splendor, and the day was mild and refreshing as a morning in early spring. The whole population was in the streets, and Pennsylvania Avenue, with its throng of gay and animated faces, would have reminded you of a time of carnival. The boarding-houses messes turned out their complement of members of Congress; the fancy shops were filled with lively, merry hearts; and the masses, in their holiday suits, were on their way to the President’s house, to see and be seen in the great levee.

"We went to the President’s, early, before twelve o’clock; and, even at this hour, the long line of carriages in front, dotted here and there with the liveries and cockades of the cortèges of the Foreign Ministers, foretold that a goodly company had already arrived. We made our entrance through the crowd at the front door, unresisted by guards of bayonets. And passed on to the receiving rooms, without any ceremony, and shook the hand of the President of the United States.

“The President was surrounded by his Cabinet, and giving to each guest, as he approached, a very bland salutation, he handed them over to the ladies of the family on his left. The receiving room in the centre Oval room, and passing from thence into another adjoining apartment, following in the train of the crowd, you find yourself in the far-famed East Room, where sovereigns of the land make their circuit. It was crowded on this occasion, and every class of society was fully represented. The room presented a bright and gratifying scene; all seemed to feel at home and each face bore an abandon of care.

“The number of ladies was unusually large and some were very beautiful, in full morning-dress, with hats and feathers and glittering gowns, standing in one position. While the company made the evolution of the room, you saw all that passed. The officers of the army and navy in full dress made a fine appearance. Among the latter were see Major-generals Scott, Gaines, Gibson, Towson, Jessup – all heroes of the (Mexican) war. Many Senators and members of the House were present, and this being the first levee of many of the new members, they were particularly attracted by the brilliant court costumes of some of the Foreign Ministers. The dress of the Mexican Minister, General Almonte, seemed to carry the day, in the rich profusion of gold embroidery. The dress of the French Minister, of blue and gold, was rich and unpretending. The Spanish Minister and suite, in light blue and silver, looked well. The Brazilian, in green and gold, the white Austrian and Swedish uniforms, were very handsome.”

From Inside History of the White House  by Gilson Willets

New York

The Christian Herald

Louis Klopsch, Proprietor

Bible House

Copyright 1908