File:Peleg Wadsworth to Zilpah (Wadsworth) Longfellow, 23 February 1794 (b013a975-d36d-4d0a-a8f8-7c41686205e0).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1005/4.1.1-03#04

Sam Sam Samuel Samuel Samuel [in another’s handwriting]
Philadelphia 23Feby1794
Yesterday, my dear, was a great day with us here. It was the Presidents Birth day. He is now entering upon his 63d year. The day was usher’d in by the firing of fifteen Guns from the Ar-tilery[sic] Companies of the City at daylight. At 11 Oclock there was a military Parade of the City – great, as it was call’d tho I am sure it was not equal to the three Companies in the little Village of Portland. At 12 Oclock the greater part of the Members of Congress waited on the president, to congratulate him on they joyous Occasion of his having become one year Older than he was a year ago - & He gave us a piece of a prodigious large plumb Cake - & as much punch & wine as we could drink & wished that we all were, or might be as old as He was – some of the Gent: went up stairs to congratulate Lady W – that her hus-band was grown old & had not so long to live as he had had – (p. 2) but this part of the Ceremony I thot quite needless - & omitted – in the Evening the Citizens gave a very Splendid Ball at the public Hotel, to which the Members of Congress were invited – The Company was large & brilliant. I believe there were more than four hundred Gent: & Ladies - & I like a Simpleton must needs go with the rest – The danc-ing Room was about 40 feet Square with a Flight of three seats on two oposite[sic] sides cover’d with green cloth. There was two setts[sic] dancing at a time, near to eac oposite[sic] sides of the Room; & their Ground was fenced off by two rows of Iron Stand-ards (to each dancing Party) with holes in the tops of them; thro which was rieved[sic] an ornamented Rope, to keep off the by-standers – for, but a small part could dance – All parts of the Room except the dancing ground was a solid Body of – of – O Dear, what shall I say – the Finest Ladies & the Finest Gents – that ever you see in (p. 3) your life - & over their Heads a most beautiful Crop of white waving Feathers – all in motion - & there was such a Buz-Buz all round the Room, that no one could hear their own Ears – O! It was Charming! The Orchestry[sic] was a little Gallery over the Fireplace - & was also strong & beau-tiful – Besides, there were several Card parties in the Chambers - & a long & Splendid table spread - & an elegant supper preparing – The President & his Lady graced the whole with their presence as well as the Great Characters of the City. M. Fauchet, the new French Minister was there – He having been receiv’d by the President, as such, in the Course of the day – We (Messr. Tracy, Coffin & myself, Fellow Lodgers) having satisfied our Consciences, or rather Curiosities, return’d at nine Oclock & left the Company to sup & separate as they Could. I wish you all a good Night, my Dear Zilpah. P Wadsworth

[Date:] From Papa Feby/4th 1794/Rec’d at Portland
[Note:] Presidents Birth/Day Reception/and public ball/P. Wadsworth.
Phila-/Delphia Feb.23d. 1794/to Zilpah W.
[Addressed:] Miss Zilpah

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