Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-10-24
FROM RICHMOND.
The eEx.Confed Capitol-Panorama of Rich
mond-Mistake of Richmond yoters-The
jeff. Davis House.

mond-Nlistake Of Richmond Voters-Tbr
jeff. Davis House.
Editorial Correspondence Of the Star.1
RICHMOND, VA, Oct. 10, 1965.-A prime OBJ
Ject of interest TO all visitors to Richmond is of
course the State Capitol building, used by the
Confederate Congress. As we passed through
the grounds on our way to 1t we encountered
colored boy, bearing on his shoulder a gilt
lettered sign, worded, nHall of Congress" and
which proved to be the one used over the door
OF the lower house Of the Confederate Con.
gress, and which was ON its way to the painter
to be re-lettered with the old designation of the
State Senate Hall. One OF our party, with an
eye to securing a somewhat curious relic, en-
deavored to purchase the sign, and represented
with considerable elOQuence TO Capt. Freeman
the venerable Commissioner of Public BuiId
ings, that in his official capacity il was his
duty to his State TO realize as much as he could
from all old lumber; and that any other piece
OF board would answer quite as well as this
a strict constructionist, and declined to nego-
tiate. In the Central Hall, occupying the DO
sition relatively Of our Capitol rotunda, is the
three-story stove, which not only enjoys re-
nown for the past rs the heater Of the old
House of Burgesses, but is in present repute
as doing the warming for not only this hall
but also the adjoining House of Deleeates
This II may do, as both hall and house are
rooms Of moderate dimensions -
Aurhlng 10 the lett we were ushered into the
room occupied by the Confederate lower house
II was originally small-sized room used by
the State Senate, and when the Confederate
House took possession couple Of committee
hall were thrown into it to Increase it's dimen
sions. 1t is now being reconstructed and re-
furnished for the use of the State Senate Most
OF the Confederate Congress furniture fof the
cheapest deal) has been removed, together with
the fonr-years.old carpet, rotten with dust and
tobacco Juice. couple Of girls were stitching
al bright new carpet, destined to replace it. :
staircase to the Confederate Senate room. also
pinched-up affair, with rough pIastered
walls, made by throwing several small COM
ture, as in the House hall is of the meanest
plne-board description, and must, with the
dirt and squalor generally, have afforded to
such OF tne members as were fresh from WASH
mgtOn a dlsagreeable contrast to the lHxurlous
appendages and surroundings of their seats at
the National Capitol Capt Freeman saws it
cost S3O,O0o-Confed money, Of course-to fit up
this room for the Confederate Senate = =
The view from the dome of the Capitol ia
very hne, standing as the building does on a
ooio eminenee. From this point can be dis.
angoished at glance all those places in Rich.
mond concerning which we have heard so
much-up river, Belle Isle, and q score of tiny
siets In the picturesque rapids Of the James;
IN tne middle ground the "burnt DISTRICT
the gloomy cells Of Libby Prison and Castle
Ihunder rts-a- rfs TO the cheerful hustle of the
steamboat landing at the Rockets The
churches Of the city, including the intensely
narp-spired st. PauPs, in which Davis wor-
shlpped, are clustered in the immedi ate neigh
Dorhood OF the spectator. Apparently all
aicnmond mas to climb Shockoe Hill to its
devonons. Westwardly, just below us is a
comfortable square mansion, the official resi-.
deAee OF Vireinia's Governors; and within a
stone throw is handsome Bostonian swell.
'front.' the residence of Robert Ould who has
put out his shingle of attorney at law and
means evidently TO make Richmond his resi-.
dence. = - -''>-- - - -oo''
Along this high ground extends the aristo. /
tocrauc portion Of Richmond, Franklin street, 4
Srace street. and similar upper-ten localities
hneo with handsome and commodious de- 4
tacned residences peculiar to Richmond, each
In tne centre OF its own plot Of lawn or shrub-
pery. Little brown-stone- front or Mansard-
roof smartness Is to be seen here; but much, thai
is suggestive Of elegant comfort. Richmond,
even with the scar Of its burnt district, is un.
mlstakably beautiful city, and James River,
even with the draw back Of its unpleasant red
mua color, (from the hue of the soil through
Wnicn courses) is beautiful stream, not 50
wide as to be tame 4--.T -ll.i7 - II';I3 ,sHz
In one particular more especially the peo-
PIE OF h1cnmond have occasion to blame their
stuplaity Ia induiging rebel prejudices, to the
extent of electlng Mayor and Councils who
could not qualify. In rebuilding the burnt dis
uiet u was very desirable to widen some inn
Portant business streets, remedy defects Of
grade, &c, but the opportunity was lost for
ever, from the fact that the city had no ON cals
10 ACTIN the natter and the progress of reb uild.
ing has now advanced too far for alteration. sl
From the Capitol we went to see the house
occupied by j Ell. Davis, a large, foomy build.
ing, on the brow Of Shockoe Hill, and over