Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-04-10
WASHINGTON Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, d. c.,
April 4th. 1865,


last week, the trial commenced on Monday.
General Butler opening the case for the
The gall ,ries were denscly
crowded; this probably being the first day
when al who procured tickets used them
the ladies being in the majority as on pre-
vious days. .-.-=
1t is something unusual even in the Hon
orahlc Senate for u speech over three
hours in length, to be listened to through
out by a large and attentive audience of
Senators and visitors, but the very
powerful argument OF the "greatest Grim
inal lawyer of the country" in opening
this great trial, merited and received the
closest attention from all. Ills tue few
"a very few, Senators showed evidence
of uneasiness towards the close, which
may have been caused by connection
that the argument was establishing almost
without a ghost of doubt the guilt of
the President from facts which have al
ready been admitted by the defence. but
perhaps it was caused by want of sleep.
AT the conclusion OF Gen1 Buffers
speech. Mr.. Wilson for the Managers sub
mit;ed some documentary evidence and
the court adjourned.
The trial has continued daily all this
week, the managers examining their wit
ncsses and sustaining the articles of i'm
peacSment.
Genl. Butter has thus far taken the lead
in questioning witnesses. aud to-day closed
the case for the prosecution, with some
noted exceptions.
Mr.. Curtis for the defence said they had
not Il large amount OF oral testimony to
offer, or u great number of witnesses, but
as it would require some time to collect
the large mass of documentary evidence
which they desired to offer, he asked for
three days time which, after but little ob-
lection, was granted and the Court adjourn
ed until Thursday, next. when Mr.. Nelson
will reply to Gen. Buffers argument ana
open the defence.
During the trial not a little merriment
has been occasioned by the testimony Of
the witnesses who proved the correctness
of the printed reports of Mr.. Johnson's
''round tho circle " speeches, and by G en-
eral Butlcr's drollery while swinging
| them round
Among the friends of impeachment there
is expressed good deal of satisfaction
with the manner in which the case has
been conducted, 50 far, and although it is
now too late to hope for a final vote on the
lith 1.-The day on which so many import
ant events have TRANSFERRED of late years,
and the anniversary OF Mr. Johnson's ill.,
auguration is President, it Is gene ally
believed that the managers are determined
to bring the trial to 4 close as speedily as
possible. and that by the first of May Mr..
Wade will be snagly enseorned in the
White House, and The country coasef ueatiy
| at rest.
| On the first days of the trial there was
q very lar.e attendance in the Senate Of
! Members CT the llou>e-tho' very few Of
the democrats were present at any time
during tie trial. Many of the members
remain nj their desks in the House writing
and cllattin.-satherng here and there in
l;ltle circles, indulsing in story telling.
discussing politics, cracking jokes &c.
waiting for the Committee of the Whole to
return and report progress. :. To-day it is
known that there's not Il quo rum of the
House in town. and when the Sergeant at
/ - 81. 1,
of Representative" not over 90 members
entered the Senate. The House meets as
usual at II m. the form of opening is OBJ
served-no business is transacted except
ing the Offering aWl referring of petitions
&c, which occupies but a few moments
they then proceed to the Senate chamber
return to their Hall. when the Court closes
and go ;hro' the form Of adjourning. To-
day the House adjourned until Wednesday,
and the Senate until Monday.
An attempt was made to-day to abolish
the present system Of issuing tickets of
admission to the Senate galleries during
the trial but the proposition failed; being
debated until the hour Of opening the
Court, arrived.
The President gave his final reception
ofthe season last Monday evening. There
was a goodly attendance.
The cabinet fully repre- sented, excepting
of course, Mr.. Stanton who holds no III
tercourse whatever with the President.
But very few, If any, republican members
of Congress were there.
The gay season may low be copsid-
cred as ended-the President generally
being the last to close his receptions.
General Hancock has officially assumed
command of the Military Division of the
Atlantic lid. Qrs., in Washington.
1t is thought by many knowing ones that
the Presiden: in assigning him to this Di-
vision has made a I,oye towards having
control of the national troops here in case
he should undertake to resist impeachment
but with General Grant ever on the alert.
no danger Of this sort need be apprehend-
ed.
Last Thursday a terrific storm of wind
swept over tie city doing considerable
damage in the way of unrooiing houses,
topping over chimnies on innocent peo-
pies heads. kicking in heavy plate glass
knocking down fences and frightening the
tinid generally.
Dan Rico's circus tent was blown ''sky
high"
In my letter of 18th March, had "big
In