, 1860-03-23

I'@NN y so 80
Ina few word.. Washington has about so 900 in
habitants-dusty streets when dry. muddy when wei
Public buildings standing like monuments among tn
reAiains Of once respectable looking buildings.
ribcr (the name Of crcek) which takes is meandcr
Ing course during rain storm through the city ]
has squares and plats, which some day may he orna
mented with wooden railing. Il has gambling hell
in any quantity In short it has everything that am
other city is possessed Of 70 further and retard th'
progress Of virtue. ] will here close OF Washington
with the hope that you will not consider me too se
vcre--''Test cot in peace."
On the 2sth day Of November last your humble ser
want made his appearance In the famous city OF Wash
ngton, having determined to Le here in time for the
assembling Of the XXXVIth Congress Of the United
stales Of North America; clear and balmy was The
morning smiling and pleasant was the Jehu as be
set me down al the door Oi the domic In which bad
previously engaged rooms for the session, most ga.
ciousy did he bow on the receipt Of the half dollar
nv fee for self and trunk and In the features Of his
celtic fsce imagination pictured to me Il hopeI am
not dcceived) an honest hackman-and bidding adieu
10 my friend Of the whip am in Washington Che resort
Z VI politicians, regues, and Office seekers.
The city Is dnll, very du--scarce any Of the mem
ters elect have as yet arrived and as week will
elapse ere the House will convene, shall devote the
time 70 making tour Of the city and the public build
ngs dliug up the intervals by Sleeping and indulging
my appetite in the good thngs Of this life not even
forgetting the delicious bralres for which this place
Is n.led.
The first place Of note which visit Is the Patent
onloe, (being somewhat Of a Yankee,) in which is
stored and arranged for exhibition the models Of all
patented articles, a. well most OF the eurosites
owned by Government The building OF itself Is con
straeted Of white marble Of composite order Of or
chteoture occupying 4 square Of ground situated on
a commanding eminence, from which the view is truly
beautiful or the contents much cannot be said; with
the exception Of the original Declaration Of Inde
pendenee, the uniform, camp chest writing desk and
other articles formerly belonging and used BY the
hther OF bis country during the reFOuton there Is
nothing 70 interest the common observer. The post
n1irn fgencraN nnno.ifa Nha ,..iu
completed, be very pretty affair; in II Il also the
general land Office and the post Office for the city
built Of marble The Treasury building, Of granite,
non in coarse of erection will lie one OF the finest
bndlngs IN the United States. Large massive pillars
adorn the front and Sides and Of the stones used
are the largest In the WORLD Is really astonishing 10
sec The machinery used for the purpose Of putting
them into place.
The Presidents house is an ordinary building; many
man 10 the country In private life has n finer one in
every respect.
The Smithsonian Institute to my fancy is tie finest
building In Washington City, both in the material
(ee stone) and In style; Of its contents not much can
be said. With the exception OF the Stanley collection
OF Indian paintings there is nothing 70 excite our spe
eal admiration. In short, taking everything into
slderation. the public buildings Of Washington are
greatly overrated.
The part OF what Is Intended as a monument TO
Washington stands upon the bank Of the Potomac,
surrounded by pile Of lumber, disgrace to the
country and commentary on the wasteul expenditure
OF the grateful contributions by generous people In
rear monument 70 him who was first "a war first
IN peace, and first In the hearts OF his countrymenn
= now at stand still, work being entirely suspend
ed for the want Of money. The manner in which this
thing has been conducted is lasting shame to those
connected With IT, who do nothing but draw their sal
area and spend the money fast as collected II is
y be hoped that some catastrophe may happen to de-
sroy the present struetnreand then that the people
VIII take hold 10 earnest and construct an evidence Of
their gratitude worthy Of the man and the OF the peo
pie Tor whom his sword secured the blessing which
"a nar mt nan1s q. HUa
piece Of work truly grand, and an ornament to the
city and the country. Il were useless to attempt
description Of this noble building on paper or by
pen 20 little skilled as mine. The capitol will well
repay visit 70 Washington. As a specimen Of the
various work bestowed upon IT, 1t Is perfect and as
monument 70 its designer, success. Capt Meiggs
has acquitted himself well, and written bis name In
ndelbe character. as an architect upon the scroll Of
fame. Let rs step in and sec the Roiunda-here one
can spend an hour With pleasure and profit the large
paintings Of g The EInbarkaton Of the Pilgrims .
Discovery Of the Mississippi river by De Sofa, .
baptism Of Pocahontas " Surrender of Cornwallls
Signing Of the Declaration y Surrender Of Bur.
j goynei and washington redgning bis commission u
grace this part Of the buildngas also the portraits
OF several OF the exPesdeDts All OF those paintings
are considered gems" From the Rotunda we step
into the old Hall Of Representative now deserted and
turned Into lumber room; here Is placed the scuptu.
ring which Is 70 adorn the face Of the building con.
ssti1g OF various hgures done in Crawfofdh inimta.
bic style and also bis statue Of Freedom 10 adorn
the top Of the dome. This Is his last work, and ii
nothing Csc has been done toward asserting tie claims
oi our citizens to take rank among the disciples Of
Canosa tins would be Of itself sufficient, have not
been able to procure the Dimensions but Il Is large
some le feet IN height These things for the present
are IN the old hall together with old desks and chairs
Ono cannot help feeling chagrned at the sight Of this
venerable hall, rendered sacred by the associations
conndeted with II being turned to such account Ii
SHOWS, 70 my mind want Of patriotism and respect
10 the memories Of those old friends Of the Union
who were wont TO make its walls ring with eloquence
nrfHI n Hunn In afnN naa1rF l.. a..
BY their successors have spent some time in this
I part Of the buding-haye drawn upon my imagina
4 ton for the forms Of Webster, Clay, Adams, Ran
doph, and their compeers 70 whom the world and oui
country have shown the highest honor, and whose
memory still lives In the hearts Of a gfatefnl people
q Though gone may We not hope that their exanpl,
and labor is not wholly lostthOugh gone from thi.
tTansitory scene, they are not.dead.
i Prom the Old Hal we pass into the New. The
House is IN session. The scene here Is an exciting
one; hubbub and confusion reign supreme The char
actsr Of The present House Of Representatives is toc
Z well known 10 require any notice from my hand
one looks in vain for the grave sedate and diqpaet
forms Of mataIer age; the members as geueral thina
are young men but few grey heads are to be seen
; Davidson Of Louisiana, and Schwartz. Of Pennsyl
vania, are about the only who can lay claim I,
age. Bat though age & wanting there are talented
men In the House. There are many who have mad,
their mark in the history Of the times and perhaps
the positions they occupy, and become endeared I,
n the country as true patriots. need not write Won
the turbulent feeling In Congress-you will have seer
full accounts in the papers have been Ia constan
attendance at the House, and more than one occa
+ sion have been panied at the exhibitions | hope tha
It Is over, both for the credit Of the country and tn
honor Of onr representatives. There Is a disposition
now 70 organize, which think win he done on Mon
day, when will finish this letterif letter it NAV b
: called.
: MoNDAY, Jan. 30.
: We are brought down to-day to what hope Is In
hnal struggle judging from the proceedngs on Frda
last. The republicans have determined on ex.Co1
G Pennington, Of New Jersey their opponents w. N
= II Smith, Of North Carolina. The capitol Is crowded
galleries aud the floor TO the extent that the regus
business is postponed nearly two hours. AZ last N
ladies'. who have taken their places upon the floor ar
excluded, call Of the House had and ali the mem
bers found present except Messrs Clark B. Cochrape
E (rep) Of New York, Stallworth, (dem) OF Alabama
r and Brown. Of kentucky. The balloting Commence
5 Whole number Of votes cast, 234 necessary for
choice lis. Pennington. us; Smith, Il3; scattering
? G. second vote is taken with the same general re
; suit third vote is then taken without change eX
cert that Mr. Riggs, Of New Jersey, votes for Pen
nington, thinking that his vote would elect SAYING
the time that he did not wish to lie underStoo
as Identifying himself with the republicans: fndin
that his vote would not decide he changed 10 McCci
nand. II was erdeIA by the last ballot that the f,u
scattering votes had not made their mind