Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-04-23
Letter from Washington
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. April 20.

The killing Of Mr.. Bienvieu. at New Orleans.
/ by Mr.. Phillips, In a dlel-a strange thing in
these days-remiads one of the proximity Of
| this p ace TO B.adensburg, where was the "a
nous resort Of the high blood. for this favorite
psstime during the period Of courtly manners
and delicate sense 81 honor which it il sup
posed has forever passed away. The sscode.
was the higher law Of the old cavalier set who
ruled in Washington n half century ago, and
while 1t was no disgrace to violate the law OF
the land. thc msn who was not ready TO sub
nit to the unwritten demands Of the cole was
booted from society and drummed from the
ranks Of respectable people, sure rs fate II Is
only fity-fiye years n 90 that Colonel McCarty.
an army officer, had quarrel with member
Of Congress, Mr.. Mason, Of Virginia, and As
this constituted a case of chivalry Of the very
first class. 1t was Of great importance that the
duel should be as sensational as circumstances
would premit. To accomplish this, three pro-
positions were entertained and discussed: One
that the two scions OF American arisiocracy
should calm their excited feelings and soothe
their wounded sensibilities by sitting together
on a barrel Of gunpowder while some one sp-
phed lighted torch TO fuse connecting with
the powder. Another proposition was t.
mount the dome Of the Capitol, clasp hands in
loving grip, and jump TO the earth together;
and the third wss TO Use muskets at tel PAGES.
The first two were 80 ne how found TO be bar
barous. and therefore inzdmissible. tut the last,
putting death of to ten PAGES. was decided TO be
not uncivilized and sufficiently sensational. 50
they went out. and before their return there
was vacancy from the Loudon district of Nir-
ginia. and the wounded honor of Representa-
tive Mason was satisfied by the sacrifice CT his
lie. The men were cousins. The Ciey and
Graves duel was aaother where guns were
USE by members Of Congress. with a fatal
result. Cuey was wonderful shot with the
rife, and il was said the weapon was selected
by him to improve his chances, but good rs he
was. he failed TO hit the marx. and his antago-
nists luck was better than skill. for tfl.ey was
brought back from the rencon're dead.
The remo,ai OF the Marquis de Mobiles Il ON
Warrington has been quite a loss TO fashionable
society, Tor the Warehouses was a lively lady,
and IN the diplomatic circle kept things NOV
ing rs French women do. Just flfy-tVe years
ago now. shortly sfter the Mason duel, Mon
sieur and Mad Neu,ills Were having their
farewell parties aud fete,. to the great regret
oi The fashionables here. But Madam Neu-
VILE, while here. slept IN an attic. and It was
never counted against her BY anybody, in
deed how could 1t be: No one could say IL was
not IN keeping with the most e,e, ated pr, teE-
SONS OF high life. whether al that day or this.
The Marquis de Noaile. ami his ls.iy lived In
great style, aud bad two houses corner X and
Ienth streets. dJaining. which they made into
one by cutting the partitions and which were
furnished IN n luxurious manner with furni-
tare from Paris. They len early in the sea sou.
and the houses are still unoccuplcd. Toe
grandfather Of Noailies was the F~nch Minis
ter the United II lie. in " Hshington admins
tration, and both he and his grandson were
highly popular and respected. They knew
how 10 spend money, aud genuine liberaity
goes As Tar IN W ashiu gton any other place
af1ct which i understood by Boss sheph nd
and Henry II. Cooke. and II doesn't matter
whose money 1t i, there own or their Uu:le's
The Committee on Civil Service have pre-
sented n bill 10 ~ organize the Treasury De-
partneni which proposes TO retire about one
fourth vi i"c force. IL ciusrs a sen. atian which
i general. becau - no one knows where the
lightning will strike. The older clerks who
have served Their day. " hose hands iremblc
whose eyesi ;ht fails. who are Vcrging on the
borders Of dotasc. and who have become un-
httcd for other business. have oomy pros
peci ahead; Tor with the reduced force the
strong. active, and healthy will have ID be ~
tanned in order 10 keep up the business; but
there are not enough Of these to supply the de-
mands Of the guiilotiue should the bill pass and
80 all hands ate looking tor III ir props. Some
old propshakcrs shaAc now without auy props
ON Tues lay the House passed the currency
bill by vote Of LIS 10 li6. and ,ooa amer passed
Tie senate bill lcgalizing the issue OF the az
Voo.eoO, AMI increasing the national bank cir
culiiion Beck. Cox, Mood. Ne>mith. Clymcr.
and Marshall. the leaders OF the Democrats
party. allNoted a. ain,t these measures. but tn,
Southern and some Of the Western membe,s of
the parts went Tor imitation. in spite OF the
teachings of Tom Benton snd General Jackson,
who have ceased 10 bc leaders.
Aiter the Senate bi had passed both houses.
the opinion Of Comptroller Knox in relation TO
its probable effect was asked. and he said it
would work contraction. A. il Wa. drawn 70.
the opposite purpose and d.emcd fine thing
IN the interest of naItion, there was a sud
den collapse Of several fine financial rcputa-
lions. and claims for the honor OF The il,en-
ton do not come in very fast since the Comp
trollsr's opinion WAS given.
Assistant Secretary sawyer. at his own re-
quest. went before the Committee on Wcdnes-
day. and fatly contradi ted the statements OF
Banheld, in relation TO the Sanborn contr acts.
explained the course Of bushes, in the Depart
ment, and made saowing which leaves Ban
held IN an awkward predicameni. After all
the insinustioas and differences OF the lively
correspondents Of New York papers. no per
son has testified 10 any fact or cir, umstance
which shows that Mr.. Sawyer had any interest.
arrangem INT. understanding. or hope Of profit
IN the business. lie assisted Kelsey when sena-
tor. by advocating the bill. but as Kelsey got
nothing, and Sawyer A. Assistant Secretary
gave him no special advantages, the .coinci-
dences are not striking. aud go to show alb
sence Of special interest.