The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-05-13
"wednesday Morning, May I3, 1863.
Boston Correspon dence.

Boston Correspon dence.
Personal "A Week of Excitement - The
Wedther-Fourth of Juty-Cuy Ceiebrd-
ton = Counterfeiters - Sims, the Fagiioe
Slare-His Reception-Defenses Of Boston
"A NetU UHdll-Amusemeats.
BosToN, May IL, 1868.
To the Editor Of the Press:
In making my bow TO your readers would
say word Introductory. While it shall al
ways be my endeavor to write only what /
think will best please each and ALL yet my pen
shall always be fearless, and truthful because
fearless. crave the kind indulgence of your
readers during my correspondence.
The past week has been one of continual
war excitement. Sanguine, doubtful and even
desponding people were more and more ccstatic
as successive reports added to their buoyancy
and delight, till suddenly 4 rumor of disaster
caused a collapse like that of pricked bub-
bic. think have not seen so much excite
ment since Sumter fell as there was on Thurs
day, when We heard the report Of Hooker's re-
treat. Large crowds collected before the
newspaper offices, especially those of the Jour
nal and Traveller, eagerly reading the bue-
tins, and anxiously awaiting more definite par
ticulars. At last the Traveller issued man.
moth bulletin reaching to the top of their build
ing. The crowd before itcompetely filed State
street in its vicinity, and for the time arrested
travel. Excitement was raised late Saturday
afternoon by sensational report of the first
water-the capture of Richmond - reiterated
in the Sunday morning paper with embellish-
IL t., L.
swallow.
The weather is dry and threadbare sub
ject, but such delightful, summer-like wealth
er as we here enjoyed yesterday was almost
enough to inspire one. Long may it wave.
Summertime weather suggests Fourth of
July, and causes me to say a word in reference
TO it. Our City Fathers, thinking that a show
of economy would not be lost on their con-
stituents, voted thousand or two less than
usual for the celebration of the coming ami
versary, and voted a resolve, that no part of
the appropriation should be spent for gloves
or hats, wines or liquors of any kind. The
former was adopted, but their idea of good
time was incompatible with the absence of the
latter items, and it overcame their good reso-
lutions; and last week they found that the
sum appropriated is too small by $1,000; so
that sum will go with the former making about
$4,000 appropriated to celebrate the day Gin
becoming manner" / have no doubt the us
ual committee" composed of thousands, will
be in attendance to see that it is.
A gang of counterfeiters intended to do
fine weeks work in this city last week, but
through the characteristic promptness of the
Boston police it was nipped in the bud. Sew
en- men were arrested for passing counterfeit
money. and their pals will undoubtedly give
this city wide berth. The counterfeits were
"twenties' on the Merchants Bank, New Ha-
ven, Conn. Lock out for them.
The fugitive slave, Thomas Sims, who in
1851 was returned by the authorities of Bos-
ton to slavery, had reception" at fremont
Temple Wednesday evening. He is an intelli-
gent negro aud gave an interesting narrative
of his life. This was too good an opportunity
to be lost, so Wendell Phillips followed him,
giving Boston a smart drubbing over his back.
Garrison dismissed the congregation" which
was composed OF about five hundred persons
Much has been said Of late about the de-
fenses of Boston .harbor; that they were SO
weak, and that that old wooden hulk, the
Ohio, was to be Boston's Support in time of
need"-which is only an unadopted suggestion
of the Commandant of Charlestown Navy
Yard. A word or two will set this matter
right and give precious little Comfort to the
enemy. Commissioners appointed for that
purpose have carefully examined the harbor
and Notifications, and report that already it
would be no easy task to enter our harbor,
and but short time is necessary to render it
impregnable. trust that Portland is secure
The old-new Post Office building in Sum-
mer street is being changed into a large and
fine hall, and will soon be completed. 1t will
seat sixteen hundred people and has stage
thirty two feet deep by fifty feet wide. The
owner, our last Postmaster, is determined the
building shall not remain useless. if he does
bleed the Government to the tune of $4,000.
yearly for rent, ''as per lease"
Never has there been known a more pros
porous season in the line of amusemen Is than
the one about closing. Five theaters are in
full blast, besides innumerable "outside shows!'
This is the last week of Mr. and Mrs. w. j.
Florence at the Boston Theater, as they will
sail for Europe on the goth instant. The
"Coleen Bawn" will be brought out at this
theatre this evening, in most magn ifc ent
style, and will be played all the week. All
who would see and enjoy grand play should
improve the opportunity. At the Museum
Mary Provost commences an enpapement this