Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-06-13
Letter from the Editor.
WAsnrseroS, June 4, 1916.

the beautiful walks and fountains in the enclo.
sure which surrounds the capitol never presen.
ted more beautiful APPEARANCE than at present
The capitol and grounds cost about two millions,
and is the most magnificent structure in the
country-although viewed at a distance, its vast
proportions are not apparent at first sight The
capitol itself, including the causeway and flights
of steps, occupies one and three-quarier acres Of
ground. The enclosure covers an area Of about
! forty acres, and is thickly studded with shade
trees, shrubbery snd flowers of all kinds. Twelve
men are constantly employed in keeping these
grounds a. well as those at the Presidents house,
in order. The Post Office department 10 most
| splendid building Of white marble. The Tressu.
ry buildings and the Patent Office are also noble
| strsctures Of free stone. The latter has an ex.
tensive hot house on its grounds, containing an
| extensive collection Of rare plants brought home
by the exploring expedition The upper story
of the Patent Office 10 a perfect museum, con-
tanning vast collection Of animals, bird., rep.
lilies, plants, minerals and other curiosites
brought home by the same expedition. A few
days may be most proftably and sereeably spent,
in visiting these places
Congress is not. think, likely TO adjourn until
August, although many Of the members are anx.
ious to return home. The measures connected
with the war with Mexico, is now the all.absor
bing topic. To stranger visiting Washington,
the proceedings of the House afford but ve-y lit
tie interest, the noise and confusion constantly
going on renders il impossible for any one to
hear half what is said, from the galleries. The
somew what notorious member from Alabama. Fe.
! lix Grundy Mcconnell, 1 readily recognised with.
ont his being pointed out, by his bloated. loafer
, like and reckless appearance lie usually wears
scarlet vest His position generally 10 with
bis legs on his desk, his feet pointing to the spea.
kcr. II was in this position l first saw him.
lie, however, soop after changed his position,
sitting on the top of his desk with his legs hang.
J ing down over the side. The speaker, think,
should not allow conduct of this kind, as it is
| certainly degrading the character of the House
The Senate chamber is the greatest object of at.
traction, as well on account Of its distinguished
members as from the decorum always preserved
amongst them. Mr.. Crittenden, Of Kentucky, is
probably the most eloquent and effective speaker
in that body. although his plain and homely ap-
psarance would hardly Indicate anything Of the
kind Mr.. Benton and Mr.. Cass have had consi.
derable sparring Of late. The 50 40 men are "a.
ther in the back ground. Mr.. Simmons, of Rhode
Island, made an able speech in favor Of reducing
| the postage on all letters TO one uniform rate Of
) cents, for all distances; a measure which he
proved by statistics from the depar rtment, would
be profitable in the end, as we'll as beneficial to
the country. Our present member, Mr.. Pollock,
will not be a candidate for reelection. He has
been a faithful and efficient member, and has
generally voted with the Pennsylvania demo.
csat', in nearly all the important measures of
the party, giving general satisfaction to the mo.
derate Of both parties.
STEAM Boar ATrIvAI.-We were gratifed,
on Sunday last, snys the Lrzerne Democrat. to
witness the arrival in W:lk.sbarre, ofa full si.
zed Canal Steam Boat named "persereronce." !"
Capt. G. CONVERSE We are informed that this
noble Steam Boat has been introduced on the
North Brnnrh Canal by Jno. L. Butler & Co..
and Capt. &. who is the proprietor ard precct-
or OF the concern Hr the purpose Of towing
Coal Boats betw' en- Ph,s;on and Dsnvil.r A
Steam Boa, plyirs upon the North Brareh Ca
nal is . something. which if predicted some ten
years ago. would not have been accredited. II
is but beginning Of what the march Of cur i'm
provemcn,s will exhibit ~ room A. her energies
shall have been developed.
sioRE ITEMS ov MEXICAN iSrELLIoEcE-
The Diario Of the 9th and 10Th hints that the
lamen,ed Col. Cross came TO his death by the
! hsnds OF a Mexican lAboser. Il avers ths. tbs
Colonel was in the habit Of visiting the !sbo.
re,'s hui, where he paid very significant a,ten.
,ion to the lauer's wife. The latter found it
necessary, adds the Diario. TO throw the Colo
mel into The river with weight attached. so as
to make him sink to the bnt,om. The Mexican
then crossed the river with his wife. and ionk
the watch. arms, snd other trinke,s belonging
to the Colonel. We give this for what it is
worth. wilhou, placing the slightest reliance on
its verscity. .. -,. r.,.. t..,s.
The Mexicans were in high glee at the Va.
rons gasconading dispatches received from the
carp Of Matsmorss, which sPoke with utmost
enthusiasm of the brilliant condition Of their ar.
my, and predicted tho most magnificent ir.
umphs over the Americans forces. The cap
ture Of Col. Thornton's command was duly pa.
raded in The columns Of FL Diario Official as
"a great triumph Of the Mexican arn.s." and
the particulars Of the capture Of the party who
k.I - a. ~ n d.