The Portland daily press., 1862-12-05
Correspondence of the Press.
Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Ist.

NAohlNOlON, w DSS. Ast, 1CUz.
The handful of brave determined men who
colonized New England have left their mark
In many respects upon the whole country.
The church, the school, institutions essentially
free-ior these inestimable things we are more
indebted to them than we may have been ac-
customed to think. Nor least among the ben
efts conferred by them is that annual festival
for which all the land is rising up to call them
blessed.
Thursday last, Thanksgiving was observed
here very much after the time honored fashion.
In the camp the day was one of genial festiv-
ity, though many poor fellow must have sad
ly missed the paternal board, the brothers and
sisters, the wife and little ones. One Colorel
expended twelve hundred and fifty dollars in
providing his boys a dinner; and another off,
Ger as happened to know sharing in the
general arrearage OF pay, pawned his gold
watch rather than that the turkeys should fall
short.
In the City the most noticeable events were
banquets to the invalids in hospitals, a feast in
the II st. barracks where one thousand con-
trabands ate for the first time Thanksgiving
dinner in freedom, and sermon delivered by
the Rev. DR.. Sunderland for which every lover
Of the country and of human rights has rea-
son to thank him. Friday and Saturday were
busy days at the Capitol. While without the
workmen were raising, one after another, the
beautiful Corinthian columns on the eastern
front of the Senate extension, other arrange
mehts were going forward within. On the for
mer day Powers noble statue of Franklin, re-
ceived from Italy few weeks ago, was set
upon its pedestal, and on the latter Walkers
painting "The Battle of Chepultepecn was
placed in the grand space afforded by the
stairway to the gentlemen's gallery of the Sem
ate; while in corresponding position in the
other end of the Capitol Lent's splendid paint
Ing westward the course of empire takes its
way" was for the first time opened to the pub
lie.
At noon to-day both branches of Congress
met in their respective halls. A quorum was
present in both branches, though the Senate
seemed somewhat fuller than the House. Af-
ter the credentials of the new Senators from
New Jersey and Rhode Island had been pre-
sented and they had been sworn in, recess
was taken, in the Senate, until one o'clock,
during which time friendly greetings were ex-
changed among the members.
At half past one the Presidents annual mes.
sage was received, and listened to with pro-
found attention by Members of Congress and
galleries crowded to overflowering. Its con-
tents need not be stated. 1t is enough to say
that its views and recommendations are wor-
thy of a statesman and patriot.
Never before has an American Congress
met under circumstances so calculated to task
and try its utmost energies. 1t is to be hoped
that it will draw no precedent from those de-
lays which have heretofore been so common,
but enter at once, and with all its might upon
the dispatch of business. The merest glance
at the mighty interests which must almost cer-
tainly be decided during this short session. is
enough to excite, in every rejecting mind. the
gravest anxieties. Let the true and loyal
people of the country close up their ranks, and
support with heart and soul those whom they
have set in the fore front Of the battle, for so
only can victory be secured, TSP.