Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-04-17
Washington Correspondence.
To the Am CrIcan
AsnINGToN. D. C., !
.tprii Ilth. lSfS. {


WASHINGTON, D. C.,
April llth l5GS.
The past week has been very disagree
able one in Washington. The weather
has been unusually bad iorth- season and
rather more suggestive of warm fires, and
yrcat-coats and shawls. than OF the more
fashionable, light. spring suits: and i'll
ilicting the unwary With all SORTS of colds.
snufii.s. infiueuzas and their attendant
evils, if its warnings go uaheeded. Mon
day twas Wildly and cold. Tuesday rail-
ny and cold Wednesday cloudy and cold.
Thursday snowy and cold. Friday rainy
again cold. damp. raw, unpleasant all
the time without a single ray OF sans'iin
to warrant the belief that every cloud has
a silver liniag." But this morning the sun
appeared gsin and to-day has been pleas
&at
This unreasonable weather. The 'jourls-
n.ent Of the "liig! Courl' from Saturday
until thursday. and of the House until
WedHesi Y. together with the uaeom.gft-
able anxiety and suspense caused by the
brief cessation of the trial have made the
city nncommlnly dlll and gloomy in spite
Oh ting efforts Of charming Maggie Mitchell
1T the National Theatre. ana the perform
anccs of two large circuses to make the
people merry.
A majority Of the N. C's left town for
IL MI, ,',n ho at;
Wednesday there was hot over halfa quo
rum present. After referring Il number OF
Communications and resolutions TO anpro-
pirate committees adjourned. Among the
resolutions offered was one by Mr.. Robin
son of \. Y, to rescinl the resolution of
impeachment against Andrew Johns N,
and recall the Managers. This the Speak
er ruled out order. There was rather i
slim attendance in the Senate where the
usual order Of legislation was observed.
On Monday the naval appropriation bill
occupied nearly all day. Tuesday ques-
tions concerning the Dist. of Columbia,
were considered at length. wednesday a
bill passed, providing that no person shall
be incompetent as juror who has formed
an opinion on any case from reading the
public journals, if such person will affirm
that he will try the case according to the
law and evidence and impartially. A joint
resolution by Mr. Sumner proposing an
amendment to the Constitution that IN o
person elected as President or Vice Presi-
dent, who has once served as President.
shall afterwards be eligible to either Of
flee "was referred to the Judiciary Com
mittec.
Thursday morning the Senate galleries
were filed at an early hour, ard were
more crowded than on any previous day
)t the the trial excepting when Gen. But
Ter made his opening speech.
/ 1t was noticed that the Democratic side
of the House was represented by much
larger delegation than ever before during
the trial and it is very evident that they
desire 10 hear but one side of the question.
| General Sherman was on the floor sit.
/ ting near his brother Senator Sherman.
and was the observed of all observers. "
Upon the opening of the court,two witnesses
were examined by the managers, and then MIR.
Curtis mot Mr.. Nelson as stated by mistake
last week.) commenced for the defence with a
very able argument, which was attentively lis
tened to by the Senators, but, his delivery be.
ing rather slow and monotonous, the galleries
were restless-at p. NJ. Mr.. Curtis, having
spoke over three hours, with only ID min
uetes intermission. Plead fatigue and asked
to be allowed to continue his remarks the next
1 day, and the Court adjourned.
Yesterday he concluded his speech, and the
examining ofwitnesses for the defence began
His ad interimey ten. l.. Thomas, being tho
first witness called, while undergoing rather
severe cross examination by Gem Butler he
admitted that lie had said he intended to use
force to obtain possession of the War Dept.
and confessed that it was all Drag on his part
but answered in a very earnest tone when ask
ed if he still expected 10 take charge Of the wa
ofice.-'I do
Frequently throughout his testimony tn,
whole house was conyulsed with laug liter. II,
was yet on the stand when the Court adjourn
ed.
To-day he was recalled and made correction
in his yesterdays evidence. which amounted
to plain contradiction of about all he had said
this Great d Il deal Of amusement and show
what sort Off. tool Andrew johnson was at las