Litchfield enquirer., 1865-04-13

Virginia, pretentious building modelled, on 1 suggestion of Thomas Jefferson. after the ia l nous Maison Cd7ree of Nismes. If it were 1 like the model, aud were built of marble, it | would, no doubt, be beautiful. As it is neither | like the model nor built of marble, and has suffered good deal lately, it has rather what the French call degraded look. The halls so lately vocal with the eloquence of rebel sena tors now echo to the tread of the negro senti- nels who pace the corridors, and Massachu- sets officers were this morning rummaging over the books in the state library, or what re mains of them, with ccmmendabe literary zeal.
 TWO STANDARD BEARERS cF THE UNION.
 From the roof of this building floats the standard sheet of the Union and in the hand of Cfawford's noble statue of Washington, which rises on stately pedestal in the square, little way to the right of the grand flight of the Capitol steps, another ensign of the stars ands dsstrpes hutters to the breeze, placed there by some patriotic soldier of Weitzel's force. The statue of Henry Clay. which stands by itself in queer little sort of guard house with 1 q cupola roof. to the left of the Capitol, has | also been decorated with a cavalry guidon.- Who will oare uisplace it? No rebel that wears boots. venture to say!
 I In the rear of the Capitol, in one corner of the square, and as have already said, near my own headquarters, is the Governors House." the executive mansion of Virginia, hastily vacated by "Governor Smith and ten anted now by General Devens, who will keep 1 it warm for the next loyal governor of the Old Dominion. They tell me that in Letcher's time it's cellars were filled with prime Bourbon; but that's a matter of history or tradition. It is safe to toll you that General Devens has put more into the conmssariat of the "Goyernor's House. already than he found in it. The house is gray stone house, neat, but not magnificent nor very large. The ensign Of the Union waves now from its flagstaff also.
 TIE "nuBB'' OF THE REBELLION.
 The headquarters of rebeldom Were concen- trated all around this square, and it is striking fact that the first object which met the eyes of Jefferson Davis when he came out of St. Paul's church on Sunday, April ?. 1865, with news from Lee that all was lost, and he mus: leave i Richmond, was the statue of Washington. un- der which he had been inaugurated as presi- dent of the confederate states. February P, 1862.
 CAPITOL. SQUARE AND VICINITY.
 St. Pauls church. on Ninth street, was the church of President Davis, who is regarded here s.s sincerely deuout member of the Epis- copal communion. It is a large and comedy structule the congregation made up o{ the ''hest society of Richmond and the rector a German by birth, but long resident here. A good many notable funeral ceremonies have taken place in this church. including that of President Tyler, but the most notable of all in history will be the nasty "carrYng out, feet foremost, of the "snuthern contederacy" by Jefferson Davis, on Sunday afternoon, April ? 1865!
 THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
 Beyond St. Pauls on Ninth street, and near Bank street, which forms the western boundary of the Capitol square, stood handsome brick building, now in smoking ruins, which was known before the wal as Mechanics Hall, and I has since been occupied as the rebel war de partment. The treasury offices were in the i'm 1 mediate neighborhood, and have also been des- troyed but half way down Bank street, and running through to Main street, the Richmond Broadway" the state y granite building of the United States custom house still rears it's ma iestic proportions This is the finest building in Richmond, was completed just before the war broke out, and was appropriated by the rebel government soon alter they came to Richmond. to the various departments of their administrations The war and the treasury de partments eventually outgtew tbeir lodgings here. and the post office was established, under Mir. Reagan, in large building just below the custonl-house on Bank street, which has also fallen prey to the flames.
 DAvls's OFFICE
 In the custom house, however, Davis and Benjamin, and Mallory held their court till the end The confederate president" occupied modest suite of rooms up two flights of stairs in a wing of the building They are not yet open to public inspection, sable guard standing in the small aute room at the head of the stairs with strict orders. polite but peremptoIy, to keep watch over all they may perhaps contain. This will not, however, amount to much, for the general testimony is that all the important archives of the rebels were sent away several weeks ago, either to Lynchburg or to DaAyihe. | The probabilities are that Danvie was their destination. | The rebel cabinet ministers seem to have been comfortable in their way of living. Ben iamin, the secretary of state, who has left an enormous amount of unpopularity behind him, l cant exactly make out why-had fine house at the upper end of Main street, which has es- i capped the confagration. Mallory lived at hotel, but passed most of his time with a ''tiger" who had splendid den on Main street, much resorted to by the leaders of the "seces- sion' party. find nobody who speaks decent ly of him.
 THE REBEL 'wHITE HOUSE."
 Jefferson Davis house, as I have already said. is now the abode of Gen. Weitzel. It stands on the brow of Shockoe hill, at the foot of Twelfth street and Clay, and is in good con- dition, though rather shabby as to the exterior. The shutters are broken, and the gates of the garden swing all kinds of ways. The stables, too are planted directly beside the front door way which detracts very much from the ap- pearance and style of the mansion and all though it would be thought decent gentle mans house anywhere, it is by no means to be compared even with many of the houses in Richmond and it's immediate vicinity.
 State Items.