The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-09-10
CORRESPONDENcE.
WASHINGTON, Sept. G, 1869,

"HDh'N'V', SNf'' ~ @NN'
EDITOR or UNION AND JOURNAL:
There is to-day general gloom spread over
the city, occasoned by the critical condition Of
the Secretary of War. Gen. Rawlns, who lies al
the point Of death, and also the painful intelli-
gence that Senator Fessenden is dangerously Ill.
The somewhat brief period Of service Of Sec.
Rawlins in the Cabinet, has been Of sufficient
length to display his peculiar qualifications for
the position that he occupies, and his loss will
be seriously felt Sen. Pcssenden has establish
ell n national reputation, and he occupies, to-
day, as statesman, the most exalted position
among the great men Of the country. He is the
acknowledged leader of the Senate; and whatever
differences of opinion may be entertained in ne
gard to the course of the distinguished Senator,
all, certainly, acknowledge that he has always
acted conscientiously.
In reading the dispatch in relation to the
sickness Of Senator Fessenden, noticed that he
was mentioned as having suffered from the ef-
fects Of poison (as was supposedly taken into the
system at the National Hotel in this city, some
years ago. 1t may not be generally known to
the readers Of the JOURNAL that about the time
Of Buchanan's Inauguration, general epidemic
prevailed among the bOarders ut the above men,
toned hotel, which de6ed the skill and expert
ence Of the most distinguished practitioners. II
commenced In January 1857, but the papers
here were very reticent in regard to this Affair
and no mention was made Of the occurrence nm
ill the attention Of the city government wa
called to the subject, by paper being laid be
fore that body in March. The food was ana
lyzed and searching investigation made OF thu
whole culinary department connected with thu
establishment, but without discovering any
light upon the subject.
| An investigation was made OF the sewerag,
connected with the hotel, and II was found to ID
in a filthy and neglected condition, and In q
great measure INSTRUCTED by dead rats in the
water course. II was found that during warm
weather, when the windows Of the hotel wer,
opened, the disease would abate to some consid.
cradle extent, but rs soon as il grew cooler and
the windows were closed, II would increase. II
was therefore the general opinion that the sick.
ness was occasioned by the imperfect sewerage
causing thereby q malarious vapor to extend
throughout the entire establishment, augmented
by the impurity Of the water used In the hall
as the water pipes were found, like the sewers
to be largely occupied by dead rats.
This position, howeyer,wa opposed by some Of
the most distinguished physicians and chemists
Of the city, who contended that the effects Of
malaria would not exhibit itselfin the symptom,
that was manifested by those who were poisoned
at that time. But the Appearances were more
like that Of somedeadly poison. II was thought
by some that some subtle poison had been in some
manner placed in the food, more particularly
the sugar used in the hotel, and that the object
was TO get rid Of Buchanan and In the event Of
his decease, Breckenridge would become prcsi-
dent. This view was not entertained TO any
great extent for during the sickness prevail.
ing at the hotel ut that time, Mr.. Buchanan 10
tanned his usual health. Hon John p. Dale
was one Of the sufferers by that epidemic, as he
was stopping at the hotel at that time, and for
year afterwards he felt the effects Of the pol
son taken into the system, but being naturally
Of strong and robust nature, he recovered hi:
original health, aud Of late years has not been
subject TO any symptoms, which with but this
one exception, seeming TO cling with deathly
gasp, to every other victim to that mysterious
occurrence.
Charges Of serious nature have been made
by ]. III. Crane, q ward commissioner against
the mayor Of this city Ssylcs ]. Bowen. The
charges were presented in writing to the cou-
mon council and were referred TO select CON-
mittec. The nature Of the complaint Is that
said Bowen has been guilty Of fraud and NAL
fcssancc, that he has been In completely with
certain parties who have contracted for filling
and grading some Of the principal streets.
Mr.. Bowen has been away from the city and
only returned day or two since, and notwith-
standing the charges made against him large
delegation welcomed him at the depot upon his
return. and In the evening the members Of the
city council called upon him at his rooms
where pleasant evening was spent.
w. w. Corcorsn. ESQ.,, wealthy banker,
who has retired from business, has solicited pro
pc.als for contract To erect building for indi-
gent females at a cost Of some $4,000, which