Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-02-28
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENTS.
WASHINGTON, February 20, 1868.

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENTS.
WASHINGTON, February 90, 1868.
This city is noted for many things, and
among Others, for being, at the present
time, the mudtlicst and tlirtiest city in the
Union. Some of the streets are impossible
for pedestrians, and present the appearance
of one vast bed of well prepared mortar
Visitors to Washington seldom expect much
in the way of accommodations at the hotels,
and at present are thankful for very small
favors. 1t was my misfortune to stop at
Willards, the largest hotel in the city. The
house was full, DIS usual, but with some
assurance that "vacant spot might be
had towards evening" I remained, and with
some Others was accommodated with II
chair in the hall, because it was their rule
to lock up these rooms. l procured much
better accommodations at private board
ing house, next evening, at one half of the
hotel price, which is three dollars per day.
Every person who goes to Washington
visits the Patent Office, of course, as one of
the most interesting objects in that city.
This is one of the most imposing if not the
finest of the public buildings in Washing
ton. The number of clerks employed is
about eight hundred, which is two hundred
less than the number under Mr. Buchanan's
administration. n..
Among the objects of curiosity, added to
the collection within the past two years, the
most interesting is the camp equipage and
,,il;tarv ooooufror,optc Of Gop Wochinutop
while Commander-in-C Chief during the war
of Independence. These are enclosed in two
large glass cases. In one of these cases is
his tent, rolled up like valise, provision
and medical chest, a small iron money chest,
kitchen and cooking utensils, saddles,
swords, pistols, clothing, and various other
articles. In the other case is curiously
formed bureau, wash-stand, and other arti
cles of furniture. These valuable relics were
in possession of Gen. Lee, the rebel Com
mander-in- Chief, and were found at Airing
ton House, his residence, on the heights
which command Washington. General Lee
was married to Miss Gusts, the grand-niece
and heir of Washington. After the capture
Arlington House by our troops. The house
had been suddenly abandoned by the family
and stripped of most of its valuablcs. An
old negro servant, about 90 years of age,
was left in the house. When the officer
searched the house he found one room
locked. The old servant assured him that
it was empty. The officer remarked that it
would do no harm to look into it, and
forced the door open, and found the articles
above mentioned. There, we trust, they
will remain as the property of the nation,
instead of being locked up in the chambers
of his rebel descendants, who have dishon-
ored the name of their illustrious ancestor.
Another case contains four valuable India
shawls. One of these was presented by the
Imaum of Muscat to the wife Of Lieutenant
A. II. Footc, of the U. S. Navy, who has
since distinguished himself at Fort Donel-
son. This shawl is valued at $1,000. The
other three were presented to President Van
Buren by the same Prince.
The presents of the japanese Government
also occupy three cases. One of these con-
tains fifteen silk robes, some of them of
large gaudy patterns. These were presented
to Townsend Harris, the U. S. Consul Gene
raj at Japan, on the occasion of his audience
with the Emperor or Tycoon, in 1859. The
other two cases contain number of hand
some large japanese screens, saddles, swords,
silk sashes, &C., presented by the Tycoon
through his late ambassadors, to President
Buchanan. AS the laws of our country pro.
hibit the reception of presents from foreign
powers, such things arc mostly deposited
in the Patent Office.
The new wings of the Capitol, now occu
pied by the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives, are being handsomely decorated
The large painting by Leutzc, on the wal
at the head of the stair case leading to tho
Senate chamber, is magnificent work o.
art, and attracts great attention. The sub
ject is Emigration Westward" 1t repre-
sents, at one view, all the tolls and trials o.
weary emigrants on the overland route tc
California. Trains of canvass covered wa
gons, drawn by oxen, containing men, wo
men and children, some broken down ant
Others struggling over precipices, are mos
strikingly portrayed. Some prominent fig
ures, on horseback, are in the foreground
dressed as hunters, with the lasso hanging
from the saddle. One of these in the leat
is said to represent the celebrated Kit Car
son, who was the guide and companion o
Fremont. A figure at the top of the highes
peak Of the Rocky Mountains, waving til,
Stars and Stripes, is said to represent Ere
mont, and commentaries an event describet
by him in one of his journals. There ar
many touching and beautiful scenes in tn
picture, which is by far the best historical
painting in the Capitol.
The debates in Congress, as the session i
drawing 10 close, are growing of NOR
interest In the Senate heard the notabl
Salisbury address that body. lie is beloy
the medium size, slender, aud of sharp fea