Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-02-23
CORRESPONDENTS
WASHINGTON. Feb. 18th, 1866.

! 9dy teiCbrHtDR-R. r.. Lee-oWfH -"'
| Bo,fs-Freelmeas Bureau bHi-Sendtors
| and Pcpasehta,iceS 10 be admitted.
MI. EpIroR:-
1t is lust one week ago to day since the
House was electrified bs one of the grand
est efforts in the shape of a speech which
has heeu delivered this session. Inc
sneaker was Hon. Thomas Williams from
one of the Pittsbur@ districts Penn Mr.
Williams is medium sized thick set man
with IA Wcbsterian brow, and OF inteiicctuai
and legal culture, and logical acc"'iieh
(which would do no discredit even TO that
great statesman. lie possesses that men
tai yigor physical force and with all that
ntrcpidity of spirit and that patriotic deNo-
ton to country which in these days OF
timeseryers and trimmcrs is refreshing to
behold. His speech on the occasion re-
fcrrcd 10 attracted the profound and I'M
divided attention of the entire House, ana
of the multitude who heard him from the
Galleries. 1t was broad, able and comprc-
hcnsive. 1t laid bare the sophsims and
twadtlle of the opposition, and carried con-
yiction TO every candid mind, that the only
basis for reconstruction is the broad and
stable foundations of inmutablc justice
and eternal righteousness. 1t willproduce
a profound impression upon the Country
The Hall of the House of Representatives
was occupied on Sunday evening last, by
the Christian Cn,nsnissian. Ii was their
last meetiiig, there being now, no longer
any necessity for this association. 1t was
an occasion of great interest. and many
facts were stated going to show that this
society had done great good during the
war. Thanks to the noble christian men
and women who did so much for our sol
diers during the great conflict with treason
and traitors.
Monday. hove IT. the 18th inst, was the
great day 1t marked an epoch in our his
tory. 1t was the occasion of the celcbra-
ton of the birth day of Abraham Lincoln
| the martyred patriot of the nation. The
gathering was such as one will scarcely he
able to see in a generation. There were
present the two Houses of Congress, the
VI tilt ilii'o .'a"tN-'s'''N'
ministers; the Justices of the supreme
Court. the Foreign minister's Secretaries
of legation. aud ottache's. together with
many distinguished guests from different
parts of the country. 1t is not too much
10 say that an asscmblage composed OF so
many able and distinguished perSonagcs
has rarely. if ever. been seen i'll this eotiil-
try. And then. the orator, Hon. Geo.
Bancroft-thc historian. the man of letters,
the patriot and statesman. He held the
vast audience with undivided attention for
three hours. and both his manner and the
matter of his Grafton We're unique.
H. spoke of the struggles of the .Ameri-
can people in the great rebellion of the
Shareholders in behalf of liberty and just
government. and dealt many telling blows
npon the heads OF all who oppose Re
publican Government. His characteriza-
I ton of the course pursued by England
and France during our contest, WAS truth
full. terribly severe. and awfnlly just. 1t
Is said upon good authority here, that Mr..
Bancroft notified Sir Frederick Bruce, the
English minister and the Marquis Month
dion the French minister. resident near our
government. of what he intended to say.
so that they might absent themselves
The Marquis took the hin, and >taid away,
but Sir Frederick concluded to face the
music. and was present, All eyes were
fastened on him during the delivery of
that portion OF Mr.. Bancroits Grafton
which had reference to England's policy.
He was evidently uncomfortable. Some
people assert that Mr.. Bancrott's remarks
were uneourteous-perhaps 80. but these
same people fail 10 see that Englands
course WAS outrageous, underhand and
mischevons in the extreme. They are
very tender of John Bulls feelings equally
solctols for American welfare.
1t was emnenty proper that Americas
great historian should speak on this occa-
sion OF Americas greatest patriot and
statesman. This Grafton will go into his
tory, and will become part of our nation
al annals.
II. +. Lee is in town. and was on the
floor of the House this \. NJ. before the
beginning of the session. lie has been
summoned here to testify before the COM
mittec on reconstruction.
Hon. John Minor Bolts is out with plan
of reconstruction. which in its entire details
is able and lucid. 1t is commanding much
consideration in political circles here.
There is much speculation just now As 10
what is to be the fate OF the bill charging
the powers of the Frccdmans Bureau, in
the hands of the President: but As it, fate
will be decided before this reaches YOU, |
will not speculate.
/ l understand this morning the Recon-
struction Committee have agreed TO report
unanimously in favor of the admission of
the Senators and Representatives from the
State of Tennessee.
The weather here is the coolest of the
season, and the Potomac is frozen over.
PHARos.
GARDEN VEGETABLE SEEDs.-Mr. Jas.
j. III. Gregory of Marblehead, Mass, has