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Mrs. Eleanor Ledlie Bowman's account of a reception given to Washington in New York, in 1790

"Captain Bowman and myself were enroute from Boston to Wyoming, and we were detained in New York part of two days for the purpose of transacting some business which my husband had at the War Office. General Knox was the Secretary of War. Capt. Bowman had formed his acquaintance during the war, and at his suggestion we agreed to attend the President's levee that evening."

"We were met in the ante-room by General Knox, who conducted us to the reception room. Although I had been instructed how to behave myself by a lady friend, I was somewhat abashed when I entered the room, but soon recovered myself. The room was full, but not crowded. At the head of the room were the President and Lady Washington, sitting upon a richly cushioned sofa. As we were announced by the master of ceremonies, General Washington advanced and taking Mr. Bowman's hand, greeting him most cordially, then turned to me and taking my hand, said: 'Captain, this is your lady, I presume?' and gallantly raised my hand to his lips. Then turning to Lady Washington, he said: 'My Lady! Captain and Mrs. Bowman, from Wyoming.' She arose, and while she held me by one hand, gave her right hand to the Captain, who, with more grace and gallantry than I had ever given him credit for, imprinted a hearty, smacking kiss upon it."

"She then asked several questions about Wyoming, while Captain Bowman was engaged in conversation with the President. In a very brief space, we gave place to other parties, and as we turned away we were met by Colonel Hamilton with his accomplished lady upon his arm. He saluted my husband with the cordiality of an old acquaintance, as he was, and at once introduced his wife, remarking to her: 'Take Mrs. Bowman under your escort, while I have a chat with the Captain.' During the half hour we remained, Mrs. Hamilton introduced me to several ladies; among them were Mrs. Chancellor Livingstone, Miss Van Renssalear and Mrs. Gates."

As soon as Col. Hamilton and my husband rejoined us, we again approached the President, and Captain Bowman took his leave of the General with a military salute and a profound bow to Mrs. Martha, while I made my adieus with an extra Boston curtsey."

"Our whole visit did not exceed half an hour... I thought that an injudicious effort was made to surround our Republican President with the trappings of royalty. All the gentlemen present wore black coats and buff or black silk small clocks, with knee bands and gold or silver buckles, with the cocked hat of the day, surmounted with a black cockade and silver or gold eagle. There was less uniformity of costume among the ladies. Mrs. Washington was richly clad in embroidered brocade, body dress with plain 'kerchief of white sarcenet and the high-laced cap of that period. I noticed no jewelry, except a plain gold bracelet upon her left wrist. The other ladies were dressed mostly in the fashion of the day, and more or less decorated with jewelry.

"Captain Bowman remarked as we were going to our lodgings that Tom Jefferson was not there... Mrs. Hamilton was a model woman. My first glance at her face satisfied me that her benevolence was only bounded by her means. She was not a beauty according to my standard of taste, but her form and graceful movements were faultless. I told Captain Bowman that I thought I was quite as good looking, and he agreed with me in that opinion."

(from The Story of Bowman's Hill, Wilkes-Barre, Pennylvania by Charles Bowman Dougherty)