Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-01-09
II. Statesman
1Froa the correspondence y. II. Statesman.
simmer LifeD at WashinStOn..
Interesting Facts.

SueNeS vi OiStip uiSueu ineu. SllCe tncl
a sale has transpired at the residence oi
Mr.. Senator Douglas. Your readers vii
perhaps remember that in one of our let
tiers stated the fact that Senators Breck
enridge, Rice and Douglas, year or two
since, built what is called "Minnesota
Row." that is to say, three magnificent
brick residences under one root. The
goods of Breckenridge were sold in one
week, to aid in satisfying some of the
owners debts, and those of Senator Doug
las in another week, to settle his estate
The Senator who owns the middle tene-
ment has vacated the house, and the whole
row has been rented to the government as
:, a hospital. l visited the residence of Sen
ator Douglas the day previous to the auc-
ton, in order 10 see what was TO be seen,
and can assure you that to me it was alto
gether sad entertainment. As wan
dered through the lofty and gorgeous halls
and rooms, and saw the rich AID elegant
furniture tumbled about promiscuously, a
feeling of desolation took possession of me,
and l was informed, by persons present at
the auction, that the articles sold at high
prices. Many of the choicest articles were
not put al sale. Mrs. Douglas, 1 am in-
formed, contemplates taking the place
which Judge Douglas owned, and in which
he resided at the time Minnesota Row was
erected. 1t is beautiful situation, near
the "Row." Judge Douglas purchased it
as fancy place, paid fabulous sum for
it, and expended more money in adorhing
it than the whole establishment would,
even in favorable times, bring in the mar
ket. None of his books-of which, espe-
cially Congressional books, there are i'm
mense uantities-have been yet offered
for sale.
But the auction sale pertaining to the
effects of great men, which was on the
whole invested with as much curiosity as
any of the season, was that of The Rebel
Jew, Senator Benjamin. 1t is well known
that Benjamin married music teacher in
Charleston, where be resided in early life,
before taking up his residence in New Or
leans, and that after living with her a shor.
time, she eloped with an Italian by the
name of Celiui, and for some twenty years
lived with him in Paris, Benjamin in the
meanwhile making periodical visits to his
early love in her new abode, until she was
finally induced some three years since, to
re-emigrate, "bag and baggage" and re-
sumo domestic relations in this city with
her "frst love-"
To carry this arrangement into effect
the distinguished Senator took the elegant
residence which was erected by Commo-
dore Decatur short time before his
death. 1t is one of the first private resi-
dences in the city, erected under the direc-
ton of Latrobe, the architect of the Capt.
tol, at cost of some $4,000 or $40, 900.
He paid 81, 900 annual rent for the prem
ises, and the establishment was furnished
at an expense fully equal to the original
cost of the building. The whole furni-
ture, of every kind, was brought from Par
is. 1t was under such auspices that SEN
ator Benjamin and his truant spouse set
up housekeeping on Their "re-union" in
this city. The course of true love, how
ever, never did run smooth, and the Sena-
toi had only got well settled in domestic
felicity again, when his musical mate, fic-
kle as the wind, took it into her head or
heart, as you may please, to transfer her
domestic relations back again to her long
tried companion in Paris. This last move
ment occurred some two years ago, and
shortly afterward much of the most valu-
able household furniture sold at auction
The remainder of the effects have now
been sold to pay the house rent.
Among the articles sold was marble
bust of Benjamin himself, full length
portrait of his musical spouse, and also
one of like description of his wife's IA
ther. There was also sold an excellent
full length portrait of his wife's daughter,
beautiful girl, some 16 years of age, who
was born soon after the mother took up
he, residence with Celin. This last por-
trait, and one of the French Empress, are
in the highest style of the art; oil paint
ings all of them. They sold for some $40
10 $40 apiece, and were bid in, it is said,
10y the auctioneer, who has made fortune
in his business within few years, and
who has one of the best galleries of paint
ings in the city. A French divan, pur-
chased in Paris at cost of $500, was
struck off to Secretary Welles for s7O.-
Old family silver plate, of French patterns
and of the richest quality, was sold in i'm
mense quantities, and for a song.
Senator Benjamin is noted gambler,
and wasted in this way the vast income
which at one period he derived from his
professional practice. On one occasion,
after obtaining $4,000 in a great case
against the celebrated John Randolph
Grimes, he sat down for three days TO a
gaming table, and Slidell in that time won
every dollar of that sum from him. Sill
dell is celebrated for his skill at this bust
ness, and has accumulated much of his for
tune, it is said, in this way.
If the history Of the men who are lead
ing this assault upon the liberties of this
country could be spread out to the world,
it would make it evident that they have
been persons who s'neither feared God nor
regarded man" JEFF. Davis is well known
TO be no pattern Of morality, as those
still in the city, who have been with him
in gambling debaucheries, with wine and
women, not biscuits threw from Browns
hotel, can well testify. 1t was only an
ordinary matter to see Floyd, while Secre-
tary, go into his office of morning, trem-
bling in every muscle with the premoni.