Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1860-05-09

along some awful precpice, and now in some long
tunnel, which turns day into midnight One oi
these tunnels Is set down at 100 feet long and
] drew several long breaths before saw daylight
on this side. We were hours in descending the
left bank of the Potomac and here is mountain
aud river scenery OF great beauty, At Harper s
Ferry tn, river appears to have cut its way thro'
the Blue Ridge. Rocky bluffs rise on each side
to fearful hight, and the town is in gorge Of
the mountains, with scarcely room for a narrow
street. Some of the citizens pointed out to us
the little brick house in which Brown was taken,
which with other buildings still show the marks
OF war, bare mentioning of the afhir awaken
ell war declarations OF the most hostile character
against the AbOitiOnists.
On all the road even IT, this city, the land il
extremely poor, and gives a scanty return to tho
farmer Tor his toll. II our Texas planters could
once zee this country, with its rocks and noun.
tains-if they could realize the labor expended in
iertilizing the soil in order to raise small crop;
they would be satisfied with their rich black
lands; aye, and would cheerrully haul rails Is
miles Outside of the city limits, there is hut
Nttle evidence OF progress, sayea at some waterfall
where mills have been erected. Very plain old
houses, and even log houses are seen on every
hand; and there are many sections of country
which ours will now surpass in improvements
AFTER saying thus much OF the country, have
much to say avorably of Washington City At
tended church on Sunday-hcai an excellent
sermon out the arrangement of the seats and the
wall'painting were SO much like theatcr that
felt out of place. To-day l have done laboring
work, improving every hour to learn what could
of Washington.
The Capitol is Il noble structure, and commen-
surate with this great country. Two murniG-
cent wings, 324 by l2l feet, have recently been
added, making the whole building 745 feet long
Its site is on the brow of hill commanding u
view Of the city and river and on each side are
pleasure grounds, highly ornamented, embracing
about ~ acres. | entered the Rotunda of the
Capitol. 1t is 26 feet in diameter and orna-
mcnted with fine, large historical paintings and
sculptures-wcnt through several apartments
entered the old Representative Hall, and found
tins appropriated to old relics, painting and
sculpture-passed on through other apartments
to the new Representative Hall. The House was
in sesson-scnt card to Hon. \. j. Hamilton
who kindly invited us in and gave us u seat
The llouse meets ut II o'clock and sits until half
past i, the hour for dinner.
| have witnessed several Legislative bodies. but
never one more disorderly and undigniicd The
Speaker is drowned continually by the confusion
around him. There is a continual hustle and
noise, like that of Il beehive and when meas.
ure is disposed Of, Il dozen jump to their feet,
and the cry of I" Mr. Speaker, - - Mr. Speaker"
is heard over the whole House the floor is
awarded to some one, and the others mutter dis.
content for long time. think one half the
members themselves must rely on the reporter,
to know what has been done. | was proud of
our Representatives, Reagan and IIamilton they
are laboring night and day in the discharge Of
their high trust, and occupy honorable and nilu-
entail positions. They led us to the Senate
Chamber and here we listened one hour to a
speech from Chestnut, of South Carolina, on the
slavery question. The Democrats were in their
seats, listening with great interest but on the
Republican side, the seats were vacant In this
chamber was good order and dignity Hunter,
Of Virginia, is large, Roman looking Senator
Douglas has fine headand face, but looks dwarf
sh. Seward is small, thin-visaged and unassum-
ng-Sumnar is large and good-appearing, but
looks like IL hot'house plant. In appearance, the
Southern members have the decided advantage
Judge Hemphill occupies an influential position,
as sound, solid Senator-always on duty and
at his post Col Wigfall was assisting Mr..
Chestnut, in the way of collecting leading au-
thorities; and, by the way, he is taking prom
nent position, and is doing good service for his
country.
their way to the Charleston Convention. The
friends Of Douglas are loud for him, but it is
thought that he cannot get the nomination under
the two thirds rule. had the pleasure of an
to him and while conversing some
me addressing him said, "Well, how is the next
President this evenngl' lie quickly answered.
: 'Hav'nt seen him." Lane, of Oregon, is spoken
If very favorably for the Presidency. He pos
'esses very much of the frmness of Gen. jackson
and is said to be Il sound Democrat upon whom
the North and South can both unite.
l shall give you more of my adventures in this
,ity in my next from New York.
Very truly, yours, j. w. F.