The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-06-23
CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, June 2. 1858.

what saw in the modern Mecca---the shrine
to which 30 many thousands flock to do rover
ence--the spot which Is hallowed by recollec-
items of Clay, Webster, Writ and Calhoun. The
city is crowded with strangers from all quarters
of the Union, nearly all of them having an sake
to grind" Some are pressing their "claims"
through, and others, ambitious of serving
Uncle Sam" in some capacity, are seeking
At the present time, almost the sole toric Of
is, "war." The feeling parvades
all classes, that England must ar ologzc or fight.
Scarcely a dissenticnt voice is heard. The
Off GERS Of the army and navy, especially the
latter, are wild with excitement at the mere
Of brush with the boosted "Mis-
tress Of the Sea- English laurels were turned
TO willows in 1912: but she has we'll nigh for
got all about it, and needs gentle reminder.
and rest assured that the commanding officers
of the vessels lately sent to the Gulf, knowing
well the state of feeling throughout the country
on this subject. will accept nothing less than
the prompt discontinuance Of these outrages.
and If English ships of war nterposc oh, tCtions.
cannon balls will be the only arguments used
to enforce compliance. -. -. l,m.~.
Senator Toombs Of Georgia sct the ball in
motion, and was followed by Crittendea, Hale,
Seward and Douglas-all said the American
flag shall not be insultcd with iinpunity, and
WOO to Britain if she persists in her IA ii handed
measures.
But to chronicle the sights I saw, the me-
mentos of American valor, the Senate, the
House, and the Patent Office, whore is kept
the original declaration Of Independence,
Washington's coat. sword, &c.
The day following my arrival, repaired 10
the Capitol, and spent the day in walking
around the Rotunda, aimiiing the splendid
specimens Of art, which adorn the walls, all oil
them occup the highest position in the art
world, and were executed by the best masters
The most prominent one is "W AsaISoroN re-
signing his commission The portraits were
all taken from life, and each of them look as il
it would require mere effort of will, to step
out of The canvass, and join the throng which
clusters around. Washington is represented in
the act of handing his commission to the Pest
dent Of the Assembly and you can almost see
his hand tremble, and hear him with sorso full
yet joyous tone, begging Congress to accept
back the dictatorial powers with which that
body h.d clothed him. His wife and her children
are setting in the gallery, the former smiling
proudly at her husband, who looks the very i'm
pcrsonifcation of all that is noble and digni-
fed.
The other pictures represent the embarkation
of the Pilgrims from Holland, and the fixed
look of determination which MILES SrAED:sH
wore. l never shall forget, as bending his knees
to earth, he gazes up heavenward, imploring
the Deity to bless the enterprise.
The "Decleration of Independence" all the
portraits being draw from life. is splendid
work of art /; the Surrender of Corvallis, .
and the surrender of Burgoyne," "Baptism of
Poeohontas" and "Washington On Horseback
are the rest Of the principal paintings. Numer-
GUS portraits ofour great men hang on the walls
none of which can be unfavorably criticized.
At the foot of the Capitol stairs, standing in
the centre Of small pond of water, which is
filled with fish, is monument erected to the
memory of CONS. Decatur, Dorsey and Israel.
who fell in the attacks on the city of Tripoli
y sAs 3earsae0A Rsak Of thss4opital k
Greenough's statue Of Washington, which g
by all to be his master piece
1t is about twice the size u iafey ssa a.ssis
faithful COPY of Stewards portrait of the Presi-
dent. The figure is represented in sitting
posture, its loose drapery covers the lower part
of the figure. and is carried up over the right
arm which Is extended with the elbow bent
and the ore-finger of the right hand pointed
upwards. The execution is finished to the ex-
treme point Of perfection. as we'll in the acces-
sories as the statue itself. The seat 10 a messy
arm chair, of antique form, the sides which are
covered with exqisitely wrought bas-reliefs.-
The subject Of one is the nfantHercules strans-
ling the serpent in his cradle: that Of the other
Apollo guiding the four steeds that draw the
chariot Of the sun. The whole stands on
square block of granite, on which is cut the in
scripsion, First in war first in Ieace first
in the hearts Of his countrymen.' The statue
almost breathed the blue, swelling veins could
be seen with startling dislinctness, and to me
it seemed that the sculptor possessed more of
the God-like attributes, that is usually accord
ed to man.
The grounds around the Car itol are tastefully
laid out. and beautiful walk it is through
them.
The Capitol has 50 often been described that
] shall not attempt it but suffice to say. the
wings are not yet finished and Congress in view
of the hard times, hasjust refused to appropriate
a sum of money to continue the work.
The Congressional library consists of $4,000
volumes, including many old and rare works !;
files of old newspapers, &c. The librarian and
his assistants are always ready to oblige all
who may visit the library, and any book you
may desire win promptly be given you. Lux
urious sofas and chairs are in the rooms for the
accommodation of readers, and indeed / know
Of no easier and better way Of passing time
away, than to spend it in the library.
From the balcony, you have beautiful view
of the city, the numerous public buildings,
White House, Hotels, are all spread ss in q
panorama, before your eyes, and . stole indeed,
one must be who would not exclaim. beautiful ,
On one end of Pennsylvania Ayssue stasds
the Capitol. on the otter, The. Whih HOUSE,
On Wednesday evening the Marins hand per
forms in front of the latter. and On Saturday.
at the Capitol.
On these occasions, the President and Miss
Lane join the gay crowd, usually in company
with numerous Senator's and foreign Embassa-
dors. At one Of these entertainments / saw
Lord NAPIER, standing on the steps Of the White
House with his hands in mis- nonkaA doonlr