all, the solemnity which appeared while he took the oath of office, was truly affecting. The silent joy which every rank of spectators exhibited in their countenances, bespoke the sincere wishes of their hearts. I could have wished you to have been a spectator. The fireworks exhibited in the evening were truly brilliant; and the illuminations and transparent paintings of the Spanish and French Ambassadors, surpassed even conception itself.-Pa. Packet, May 7, 1789. New York, May 2, 1789. We feel satisfaction in adding to the account given in yesterday's paper of the inauguration of the President,-that his Excellency on that great day, was dressed in a complete suit of elegant broad cloth of the manufacture of his country.-Pa. Packet, May 6, 1789. From the Gazette of the United States : THE PRESIDENT, accompanied by His Excellency the Vice-President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and both Houses of Congress, went to St. Paul's Chapel, where divine service was performed, by the Right Rev. Dr. Provost, Bishop of the Episcopal Church in this State, and Chaplain to the Senate. The religious solemnity being ended, the President was escorted to his residence. EVENING CELEBRATION. The transparent paintings exhibited in various parts of the city, on Thursday evening, were equal at least, to anything of the kind ever before seen in America. That displayed before the Fort at the bottom of Broad-way, did great honor to its inventors and executors, for the ingenuity of the design, and goodness of the workmanship; it was finely lighted and advantageously situated: The virtues, FORTITUDE, JUSTICE†, and Wisdom‡ were judiciously applied; of the first, all America has had the fullest evidence; and with respect to the two others, who does not entertain the most pleasing anticipations. His Excellency DON GARDQUI's residence next caught the eye-and fixed it in pleasing contemplation: The Tout-en-semble here, formed a most brilliant front; the figures well fancied. THE GRACES, suggested the best ideas; and the pleasing variety of emblems, flowers, shrubbery, arches, &c. and above all the MOVING PICTURES, that figured in the windows, or as it were in the back ground, created by fixing the transparencies between the windows, afforded a new-an animated, and enchanting spectacle. *The PRESIDENT. The SENATE. The REPRESENTATIVES of the United States. The residence of his Excellency, COUNT MEUSTIER, was illuminated in a stile of novel elegance; the splendid bordering of lamps round the windows, doors, &c. with the fancy pieces in each window; and above all the large designs in front, the allusions, of which we cannot at present particularly describe, did great honor to the taste and sentiment of the inventor. The above two instances of attention to honor this great and important occasion, so highly interesting to our "dear country," evince the friendship, the delicacy and politeness of our illustrious allies. The portrait of "THE FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY" exhibited in Broad-Street, was extremely well executed, and had a fine effect. There was an excellent Transparency, also shown at the Theatre, and at the corner, near the Fly-Market: In short, emulation and ingenuity were alive; but perhaps were in no instance exhibited to greater advantage than in the display of Fire Works, which, from one novelty to another, continued for two hours, to surprize, by variety, taste, and brilliancy. The illumination of the Federal State House, was among the most agreeable of the exhibitions of the evening; and the ship Carolina formed a beautiful pyramid of Stars: The evening was fine-the company innumerable-every one appeared to enjoy the scene, and no accident casts the smallest cloud upon the retrospect. May 1. Yesterday morning THE PRESIDENT received the compliments of His Excellency the Vice President, His Excellency the Governor of this State, the principal Officers of the different Departments; the foreign Ministers; and a great number of other persons of distinction. We are informed, that the President has assigned every Tuesday and Friday, . between the hours of two and three, for receiving visits; and that visits of compliment on other days, and particularly on Sundays, will not be agreeable to him. It seems to be a prevailing opinion, that so much of THE PRESIDENT's time will be engaged by the various and important business, imposed upon him by the Constitution, that he will find himself constrained to omit returning visits, or accepting invitations to Entertainments. ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS THE PURCHASE OF THE TRENT An unpublished letter, written in 1861, by S. R. Mallory, Secretary of the Confederate Navy. [The original of the following letter is in my possession, and its authenticity beyond question. Its contents will prove, in some important respects, a revelation to the reading public.-EDITOR.] Confederate States. Captain D. N. Ingraham Charleston. S. C. Dear Sir Navy Department. Richmond. Va. Sept 19. 1861. Your letter of the 17th ins't has just been received. If the vessel is in good condition to make the run to England, her machinery sound and in good working order, and she can be made ready immediately for the voyage, you will purchase her upon the terms proposed, the government paying $100.000, to the Charleston owners and holding itself responsible to the alien enemy owners in such manner as it may determine, The duty required of her, as you are aware, demands every precaution against failure, and every preparation for a successful trip must be made immediately, the vessel to sail on the 25 or 26 instant, at furthest. Her former Captain knowing the ship and her trim may be engaged as an · acting master at $1200, if you deem it best. It would be well also to carry out three or four pilots familiar with the Carolina and Georgia coasts, as two of them might be wanted by vessels expected from Europe. Lieutenant Pegram is ordered to report to you for the command, and other officers are also detailed. You will ship her usual crew of seamen, coal heavers, and firemen, and it would be well to engage her former engineers. A cabin cook and steward, with proper assistants including a stewardess, will be required, as the cabin passengers will number fourteen ladies and gentlemen with six attendants, stores and provisions for whom will also be laid in. These and all other necessary arrangements are all confided to you, and the importance of keeping the whole subject as private as possible is evident. Lieutenant Pegram will perform such duties as may be required of him as Paymaster, the department having no officer of that grade to detail for the service. You will advise the department immediately upon receipt of this letter at the earliest day at which the vessel can be ready for sea. The speed of the vessel is represented to be twelve miles an hour, and you will report the best information you can obtain as to this point, as her alleged speed furnishes the principal reason for purchasing her, and the commissioners would not be permitted to go to sea in a vessel which any ship of the enemy could overhaul. If she can carry two guns without impairing her speed, and you can readily place them on her, you will exercise your judgment as to the mounting them on her. A signal gun she should have. Lieutenant Pegram will join you, and aid in these details. You can determine a private signal for her-something that may be distinctly seen, and which we may recognize on her return voyage. You will advise me by mail at once. I do not rely upon the telegraph I am respectfully Your Ob't Servant S. R. Mallory Secretary of the Navy. VIRGINIA STATE NAVY From the Autograph Collection of W. Hudson Stephens, Lowville, New York. [The following letter from Richard Henry Lee, in 1782, is sent to the Magazine in response to the query [xix., 346], and will be read with interest.-EDITOR.] Sir. * Chantilly Sept 7th 1782. I have not until now found an opportunity of answering the letter that you honored me with on the 8th of August, or I should sooner have done so. The 51 bad arms mentioned in my return, the people are willing to get repaired as quickly as possible at their own Expence, and are therefore unwilling to part with them. I am this day informed that 1200 cartridges are landed at Leeds for the use of this Country Mr Diche? says that 1500 were intended but that those sent from Richmond did not hold out- If you have, or can make an acquaintance with the Commissioners for the defence of the Bay & its dependencies, you will really do a very useful thing to the public if you can apply some stimulus to them, that our trade and shores may not continue Exposed to insult and injury from a few most infamous and ill conducted Pirates in barges & whale boats who plunder both by land & water in the Very bowels of the State to its great dishonor & misfortune, I have the honor to be with very great Esteem & regard Sir your most obedient and very humble Servant Richard Henry Lee *It is as near Diche ? as am able to make out.-W. H. S. TWO UNPUBLISHED WASHINGTON LETTERS From the Collection of Walter L. Sawyer, Minneapolis, Minnesota Smiths Tavern in the Sir Notwithstanding I sent you some Dragoons for the purpose of transmitting intelligence, I could wish you from the roughness of the Country to select 2 or 3 active footmen for the same purpose-these you will exempt from all other duty, & keep in the utmost readiness for this business-If anything extraordinary should happen during your command at the forest, it may be well to communicate it, both by a horse and footman, when the most expeditious way will be discovered, & may be used on other similar occasions. I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency a Resolution of Congress for carrying into effect a Survey directed to be made by an Act of the late Congress and requesting the President of the United States to appoint a proper person to compleat the same. Also the duplicate of an Act relative to Negotiations and Treaties with the Indian Tribes. I have the honor to be With due consideration To His Excellency John E. Howard Your Excellencys Mo* Obt and Mot Humb Sevt G. Washington |