The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-01-30
For the National Era.
LETTERS FROM THE CAPITOL.
WASHINGTON, January 2

the relleI OF Mrs. CnarlOtte Lynoh, aio"ins hor
the pay of her father, Colonel Gray Of Connecti-
cut, for the whole time which he served in the ar
my of the Revolution, has at length passed, much
to the Joy of the numerous friends Of Miss Anne
Lynch, who is decidedly great favorite in Wash
ington society. Indeed, the passage Of the bill
may be considered as sort of legislative compli-
ment paid to the popular poetess, in the name Of
her mother. 1t is an exception to the general
policy of the Government in regard to pensions
a precedent which it were hardly advisable for a
less worthy and respectable petitioner to plead,
through less energetic, clever, and charming adj
vocate
In the Senate Mr.. Seward has lately made
fine speech on the claims of American mer-
chants for indemnities for French spoliations.
Like all the preceding efforts Of this able Sen
stor, this is characterized by calm thought, clear
statement just sentiments, and a careful finish
in every part Mr.. Hunters speech in oppo-
siton to the bill is regarded the ablest on that
side of the question.
On Wednesday, there was, as you have doubtless
seen, spicy debate on Mr. Clay's resolution on the
African slave trade. You have been little startled
perhaps, at the strange tack which Mr.. Hale took
in order to checkmate his distinguished opponent
by bringing forward, if not endorsing, the opinion
of Governor Hammond-that the horrors and
evils Of the slave trade would be reduced by
throwing it open and making it like any other
er made, as usual, a dasbing foray rnso TIE for
hidden and jealousy guarded territory Of "the
institution (which called out its feudal defend
ers, and we had quite a scene Of it. Mr.. Clay
grew stern, autocratcal, and sarcastic; while Mr..
Foote shot up from his seat every I've minutes, to
make brief explanation or defence, or to raise
some point of order. 1t is amusing to witness the
sudden spssms Of propriety to which this
bold and fiery statesman is subject. When GER
tain Senators have the floor, he manifests nice
and jealous regard for parliamentary etiquette
and decorum, and an absolute horror of disre-
spectful illusions and irrelevant speech. With
naive inconsistencies Of his own lawlessness and
manifold transgressions in parliamentary way,
he sometimes Indignantly calls to order speaker
who is proceeding in perfectly orderly manner,
reproves the Chair for neglect of duty, and seems
to consider the quiet and solemn Senate itself
scene of misrule and dire disorder AT such times
his hallucination reminds me Of the strange state
in which Davy Copperfeld found himself on the
night of his first dissipation. You recollect that,
after dinner, wine and cigars, Sturforth Granger
and Markham took him to the theatre. He says:
"There was a great stage, looking very clean
4 Co. he obs ,,fo ovA hare
pie upon it, talking about something or other
but not at all ineligible. There was an album
dance of bright lights, and there was music, and
there were ladies in the boxes, and | don't know
what uuw. The whole building looked to me as
Ii it were learning to swim it conducted itself in
such an unaccountable manner, mhea l tried 10
steady IT.
What will Mr. Clay do for target for his wit,
when Mr.. Hale shall have left the Senate To-
ward whom can Mr. Foote make such frequent
displays of his respect for order and his devotion
to the Union3 Will not q portion, at least of the
occupation of both Othelo and his orderly SER
geant then be gomez And, what is Of more con-
sequence, what will the Free-Soil party do with
out him who so long and 80 fearlessly has carried
on guerilla warfare in defence of their princ-
ples2
The levee at the Presidents on Friday evening
was unusually agreeable. We there met many
of our friends, and the time passed very pleas
antly.
Among the celebrities present was Jagiello, at
tracing the attention even of strangers by the
dark peculiar type of her beauty the elastic grace
of her movement, and the vivacity of her manner.
r. - Me Lrax, a,,I
earnest woman, who has done for freedom what
che best could in the way best known to her. ia
giello has large and true nature, which opens
upon one more and more. Her impulses are all
noble, and her intentions as clear and direct as
the sunlight. Her intense love of freedom is not
being-not a brand kindled at the fires of revo-
luton, but central fame. She is eminently
real person, one who has her decided, individual
opinions on the great questions of the time. In
expression she is strong and fearless, but never
brusque or ungentle.
Speaking of Jagiello, reminds me of the bill for
the relief of the heirs Of Koscusko or rather be-
lieve, it is general bill of venue, for the District
of Columbia, from which they look for advantage
As long ago as 1919, suits were commenced for the
recovery Of certain funds, which General Kosci-
usko brought from Poland and lodged in this
country Becoming convinced that certain pow
crful influences would prevent their obtaining
Justice in the court for the District of Columbia,
the heirs, through their attorney, Major Tochman,
made application to Congress, praying for the pas
sage of an act authorizing the removal Of the case
to the United States Court for the District Of
Maryland. This was in ls47, and the petition
has not yet been granted but the general bill of
which have spoken passed the Senate last ses-
sion, and went to the House, where it was made
special bill, and returned to the Senate. 1t is
before the Judiciary Committee Of that body,
which proposes to make it again general bill
This is supposed to be a device for defeating the
BILL which is strongly opposed by the outside in.
faences Of persons interested in withholding the
funds, and by the Russian Minister. What in
fuencc the envoy of an autocrat can bring to bear
on sturdy republicans is certainly mystery
M. Bodisco gives fine dinners--but that is neither
here nor there.
The heirs of Kosciusko ask our G overnment
for no gift they merely demand the payment Of
just debt, and ask the aid Of Congress in obtain
ing simple justice. This is certainly the last
claim which should be disallowed and these the
last suitors to be treated cavaliery, ungenerously
and unjustly. Oar Government may never hope
to discharge the great debt of gratitude which the
country owes to the heroic Pole, who fought and
blei for our liberties but here is an opportunity
for testifyng sense of the eternal obligation
But perhaps our patriots believe that all such
debts are being honoraby paid of by annual in