The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-10-09

IT
distinctly before my minds eye; and instantly
recognized it again, when | saw, for the first
time, Trambull's Picture of the Surrender at
| Yorktown, that now occupier one of the pannels
| in the Rotunda of the Capitol. The Washing
ton there drawn, is precisely what | com
ing into the city by the road from Grey's Ferry.
WASHINGTON AT CHURCH.
| My next view of him was nearer and more
distinct one,--it was as worshiper My pa
rents, who were Episcopaans, had a front pew
in the gallery of Christ's Church, in Philadel-
phia; and from that favorable post of observation,
| | noticed, in the middle aisle, pew lined with
crimson velvet, fringed with gold, into which
l saw highly dignifed gentleman enter accom-
panied by two others, younger than himself,
and most respectful in their department towards
him, who, as have since learned, were men,
bers ofhis military family. was but young
boy, and the impression, | well remember,
on my youthful mind was, that had never seen
so grand gentleman before. Everybody else
seemed to be of the same mind for | do not
consider it SANDER on the very resctable congre-
cation worshiping in that Church, to say, that
far more looks were fixed upon that pew than
on the pulplt,) unless, indeed, it happened to be
occupied by that most excellent and venerable
of prelates, Bishop Whitley The department
eyes, when not on the prayer-book, were on the
officiating clergyman, and no witless or rrever-
ent worshiper could plead Washingtons exam
pie. have since been in the Church at Alexan-
dria, in Virginia, which was his parish Church
have handled the prayer book he used, and seen
his well-known autograph in the front Of his
bible; and here the same impression existed as
to his regular and exemplary attendance and
demeanor He could not always be present in
he lad IN tba aft
being pressed by the exigency ofpublic affairs,
which, in the mind Of Washington, were ever
held to be matters Of necessity. Hence he gave
orders, that in case certain important dispatches
were received during his attendance in Chuch,
they should be brought to him there: and have
seen them delivered into his hands. He opened
them Immediately and deliberately and atten-
lively read them through: then laying them on
the seat by his side, he resumed his prayer book,
and, apparently, gave his mind to the solemn
ties of the place and the hour.
HIS ADDRESS TO CONGRESS WHEN ELECTED FOR
/ THE LAST TIME.
But once had an opportunity far more favor
able, of bekolding this greatest of men, under
circumstances the best possible, for exhibiting
him to the fullest advantage. 1t was privilege
which could happen bat once to any man; and
| esteem the hour when cnjorcd it, as one OF
the brightest moments | ever permitted to
know. It's remembrance yet gows wildly on
my mind: years have not dmncd it: the whole
scene is yet before me: and | need not say with
what force repeated public occasions Of a like
kind, have since recalled it to remembrance.
Yes, it was my favored lot to see and hear Pre-
sident Washington address The Congress of the
United States, when elected for the last time,
of men now living, how few can say the
same
I | was but school boy at the time, and had fol-
lowed one of the many groups of people, who,
from all quarters, were making their way to the
Hall in Chestnut street. at the corner Of Fifth,
where the two Houses Of Congress then held
their sittings, and where they were that day to
be addressed by the President, the opening
Of his second term Of office. Boys can often
manage to work their way through crowd bet
ter than men can: at all events, 1t SO happened
that succeeded in reaching the steps OF the
Hall, from which elevation, looking in every
direction, | could see nothing but human heads:
a vast fuctuatng sea, swaylng to ana fro, and
filling every accessible place which commanded
even a distinct view of the building. They
had congregated, not with the hope of getting
into the Hall, for that was physically mpossi-
BILE, but that they might see Washington.
Many an anxious look was cast in the direction
from which he was expected to come, till at
, length, true to the appointed hour, Che was the
most punctual of men, an agitation was observa-
! BILE on the outskirts Of the crowd, which gradu-
ally opened and gave space for the approach of
an elegant white coach, drawn by SIX superb
, white horses, having on its four sides beautl-
full designs Of the four seasons, painted by Ciprl-
arian. 1t slowly made its way, till it drew up
Immediately in front of the Hall. The rush
was now tremendous. But as the coach coor
opened there issued from it two gentlemen, with
, long white wands, who, with some difficulty,
, parted the people, so as to open a passage from
the carriage to the steps, on which the fortunate
, school-boy had achieved a footing, and whence
the whole proceeding could be distinctly seen.
AS the person of the President emerged from
the carriage, universal shout rent the air, and
, continued, as he very deliberately assembled the
, steps. On reaching the platform, he paused,
looking back on the carriage, thus afording to
the anxiety of the people, the Indulgence they
, desired, of fcasting their eyes upon his person.
Never did more majestic parsonage present him
self to the public gaze. lie was within two feet
of me: could have touched his clothes: but
should as soon have thought of touching cleo
trio battery. Boy, as was, felt as in the pres
ence Of q divinity. As he turned to enter the
, Hall, the gentlemen with the white wlnds,
preceded him, and with still greater difficulty
, than before, repressed the people, and cleared a
way to the great staircase. AS he ascended
assembled with him, step By step. creeping close
to the wall, and almost hidden by the skirts of
, looking at him; and thus was permitted, unnotic
| ed, to glide along, and happily to make my
way (where many were vainly longing and
!, struggling to enter,) into the lobby Of the cham
Der of the House of Representatives. Once in,
[ was safe; for had even been seen by the off.
GERS in attendance, it would have been imposs-
bic to get me out again. | saw near me large
t pyramdal stove, which, fortunately, had but lit
tie nts IL it, and on winch, forthwith Chamber
, ed' uh''l hid attained secure perch, from
when every part OF >'e Hall could be deliberate
~ anu dlsunc'ly surveyed Depend upon it, l
On either side ofthe broad aisle thas-.as left
vacant in the centre, were assembled the twp
Houses of Congress. AS the President entered
, all rose, and remained standing TIL he had as
O cended the steps at the upper end of the cham
3 Der, and taken his seat in the Speakers chair
l., 1t was an impressive moment. Notwithstanding
d that the spacious apartment, floor, lobby, gal
leries and all approaches, were crowded to their
l. utmost capacity, not sound heard; the
r silence of expectation unbroken and pro
fnrrI