Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-01-28

the west end, with the Messrs NihhruH, WI"
keep the City Hotel which Is now, and by far
the best kept House in the city at this time
BY the way, the Willards are Green Mountain
Boys" and, II mistake not, from Westminster
in your county. They are active and entepris-
ing young men, and do credit to their native
State.
Most Of your readers arc probably strangers
in Washington let US take stroll together up
the Avenue. 1t is now II o'clock, aud We shall
arrive at the Capitol before the Houses meet
You see off to the right gimpscs Of water il IS
the placid and sluggish Potomac, gliding along
to the ocean, its waters seldom disturbed by the
track Of commerce Before us, on an elevation
Of 90 feet, stands the Capitol, according to the
original plan. We arc approaching the rear Of
the building; the from, faccs to the east, and the
city was designed to occupy the elevated and
commanding country beyond, which presents
site of unsurpassed magnidccnce for city. But
the land was owned by a miser, who refused to
sell, except at enormous pricesi while the land
west of the Capitol was owned by General Van
Ness who pursued adifTcrent policy. lie gave
lots, or sold at small sums; and, by course Of
libcrality and public spirit, attracted FIRST the cit
izens, and finally the public buildings, to the
west Of the Capitol The original plan was thus
frustrated, and the city came to be built in the
rear Of the Capitol-and thereby the miser who,
by grasping IT too tightly, let an immense for
tune slip through his hands, became and is now
apaupcr; while Gen. Van Ness left at his death,
year or two since, a fortune Of nearly half
million. Congress, however, having the control
of Uncle Sans purse has caused the grounds in
rear Of the Capitol to be cultivated, and made
them very beautiful But il Is tiresome to as
cend the long flights Of steps to the Representa-
lives Hall from the Avenue, whereas the front
of the Capitol is but slightly elevated above the
grounds beyond. We will avoid the stairs by
taking circuit, which leads US by gradual as
cent to the front of the building. We cannot
mistake the lofty statue which stands before the
entrance, for il bears the unmistakeabe features
of the Father of his Country
Let us enter the Capitol, and first look into
the spacious rotunda. We see II is circular, per-
haps fifty feet in diameter, and lighted by the
windows Of the magnificent dome. The large
paintings that adorn the walls cf i'Nress, I'M re-,
y resent various scenes Of the Revolution, and b
reference to the cards suspended near them, 20
may find the faces of the principal actors thr
are painted on the canvass. Here, to the lei
Of the door leading to the Senate Chamber, is
portrait Of General Taylor, with the same dres
and as he appeared after coming from the blood
field Of Buena Vista. He has on checked shin
and striped cravat, and an old coat; and loo
at his right ann--there are three or four bullc
holes through the Sleeve showing that death ha
been near him. He is dressed ia disguise, so a
not to attrnct the particular notice of the Mex
can rifemen; and his face is broad, and his fca
lures rough, but with piercing eye, a bold fore
head, and renllRably calm and bencvolen
. c~prcs.on. 70. You'd take him for saea
cious, independently old fnrmer--but the portra
bears no resemblance 10 those petidled about I'll
country as his; they are mere carieahrcs II
portrait to the right Of the door is that of Maic
Bliss, the talented and heroic aid Of the mob
old General. lie has been in town for sever
days, but far from initiating the crowd of viii
. kerandos, who throng the streets to boast of the
valorOus deeds, he kept himself 50 secluded TIL
it was not known until yesterday.
But let us proceed into the Senate Chambe
where the grave dignitnrics of the nation are a
sembled Being privileged, we win enter upo
the floor, and see what We can find to interest u
The form of the Chamber is semi-circular; Il
chair Of the Vice President Occupying the bas
and the seats Of the Senators filing the area
the semi-circle. The gallery around and owe
the area is appropriated to the ladies, and 20
see it already filed with The beauty and fashio
of the city. Mr. Footc, Of Mississippi, is to spea
to-day, and being the hero OF three duels--tw
Of them with S. s. Prcniiss--he is quite liol
lie spoke yesterday, and is now to conclude b
speech. II will probably take him all day to G,
haust his subject, but he will empty the lsdic
gallery in half an hour.
Observe the physiognomy Of the Senator
Look at that one sitting in front of the Presiden
| ON the outer circle. He is a short and preit
stout man, with full face, and an ample fore
head, indicating strong mind, and decision q
character. Shall give you little narrative
Some twenty years or more since, young mar
with the trade of cabnct-maker, resided /
Brandon, Vermont, which believe was his ma
tive place. He was poor, and in i'll health
! without friends, and without influence. Tn
place afforded little encouragement for his busi
ness, and he became almost destitute. Animate,
by the courage and enterprise characteristic O
the +" Green Mountain Boys" he picked up hi
traps, and set out for the unknown wilderness o
the West He selected residence in some par
of Illinois, friendlcss and alone in land of stran
gers Thrown upon himself, the native encrq,
of his character was aroused, and the resource
Of strong mind developed. BY industry, econ
omy and perseverance, he acquired a knowlede,
of the law, and entered upon the practice of tha
profession. Success attended his efforts; he ac
quircd character and reputation, attained AT
length to the bench Of the Supreme Court q
the State, and two years ago, Judge Doualass
the poorwandercr from Brandon, W, was tram.
fcrrcd to the Senate Of the United staies4-and
that is he, to whom | pointed your attention
He is still in abe prime Of life and appears 10 be
under 40 years Of age. lie is now here, at WA.
larl's, with his young and lovely bride, whom he