The friendly welcome of a Russian fleet of war vessels, which
arrived in New York City in September; the enthusiastic reception by
the people of the admiral and officers when offered the hospitalities of
the city; the banquet given at the Astor House by the merchants and
business men in their honor; the marked attention shown them by the
Secretary of State on their visit to Washington "to reflect the cor-
diality and friendship which the nation cherishes towards Russia": all
these manifestations of gratitude to the one great power of Europe
which had openly and persistently been our friend, added another ele-
ment to the cheerfulness which prevailed in the closing months of I863.
