Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-07-23
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
The English and PrussinA Missions The
European War 7Ae Funding Bull
WASHINGTON, D. c., July 10, 1870,
ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS-.


1 wAsH,seros, b. c., July 10, 1870,
ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS-.
/ On Friday, the 18th inst, at sharp p. NJ,
according to a joint resolution of the two
Houses, Vice President Colfax and Speaker
Blaine pronounced the second session of the
4lst Congress, djourned without day, and
the hammer fell with joyous sound. The
session had been long and towards the last
exceedingly laborious, for Congressman were
obliged to work early and late to get the bust
ness finished by the day fixed for adjourning.
They were as pleased TO be through with
their labors as ever were school children with
a summer vacation, and scarcely any now re-
main. Many len the same evening after ad
journment, whei@ five sleeping cars went
North and I don't know how many South.
A, large number, especially of the Southern
members, have gone north to the mountains
and watering places to ''recreate" before re-
turning home to engage in the fall campaign,
which promises to be pretty exciting one.
With the departure of Congress has gone the
grand army of the Lobby, leaving Washing
ton deserted. The last day of the session
was the most exciting time in political cir
cells since the impeachment trial. Early in
the day it was found to be impracticable to
adjourn at - o'clock noon, as had been
agreed upon, and by joint resolution, the time
was postponed to two o'clock. The House
presented scene of animated confusion, and
Speaker Blaine's patience was put to very
severe test. There was so much to be done
that members did not have tine to indulge III
the childish pranks which you are accustomed
to associate with the last day Of the Legisla
tive session There were no mock speeches,
no hurting of paper missels. About noon as
dozen or more of ardent members were tug
ging at the Speaker for the floor to make
some motion or introduce some resolution
under suspension of the rules, the hammer
suddely fell and the Speaker announced
despatch from Europe, which the reading
clerk read, announcing the war between
France. and Prussia. For short time great
excitement followed. The President and
Cabinet were in session in the Presidents
room near the Senate Chamber, and the Sen
ate was still in Executive session, with closed
doors, considering the withdrawal of minister
Motley, and the confirmation of Mr. Freling-
huysen in his place, while crowd of hungry
anxiously without. The announcement of
''war declared in Europe" created a consider
able diversion, and changed the topic of con-
versation to the relative merits and strength
of the parties. Almost every one hoped
France, and Napoleon especially, would get
soundly threshed for forcing war upon Prus-
STA. Baron Gerolt, the Prussian minister, had
already urged upon the President the propri-
ETY. of recommending to Congress the passage
of bill to enable citizens of the United
States to purchase foreign ships and sail them
under the American flag. Such bill had
been strongly urged earlier in the session by
the friends Of free trade, as the only practical
Bile remedy for the decline of American COM
merce, but had been defeated through the
exertions of the shpbuilders and protection
lists. The present time, in view of the
European war, was regarded as affordiDg
great opportunity for the country to get COM
mand of a large part of the foreign carrying
trade now in the hands of the Germans and
French. The President and Cabinet enter
tanning this view, early in the afternoon Gen.
Grant sent a special message to Congress, re-
commenting among other things, this meas
ure. Owing to the delay in passing the In
dian appropriation bill, the time of adjourn
ment was again postponed, and five o'clock
fixed. Up to that time both Senate and House
were engaged in discussing the passage Of a
bill to allow the transfer of foreign bottoms to
the American flag. From the reception of
the Presidents message to the time OF ad-
journment, it is asserted that over one hun
dred kilograms were received by members
and senators against the proposed measure,
and although stirring speeches were made in
its favor by members of both Houses, it was
defeated, and the opportunity was lost The
argument of the opposition was that the trans
fer of vessels to American ownership would
be nominal, and not real, and that as soon as
the war was over, the real owners will again
fly their national colors.
The ENGLISH AND PRussIAN MISSIONS.
Hon Frederick Il. Frelinghuysen, who had
been confirmed as minister to England in
place of Mr.. Motley, recalled, was member
of the U. S. Senate from New Jersey, in the
4Oth Congress. He is a polished gentleman,
and experienced both in politics and CONNER
cial matters. He belongs to one of the very
best families in New Jersey, and is very
1t is reported that he has accepted
the mission, and will be here Immediately, to |
receive his instructions. 1t is asserted that |
Senators Sumner and Wilson made deter |
mined fight in favor of the retention of min
lister Motley, who is a personal friend of the
former When the vote was taken upon the
confirmation of Mr.. Frelinghuys they both |
remained silent, not wishing to record them
selves against that gentleman, whom they |