Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, August 21, 1856, Image 2
Srrajfs & Jfatk
. Mr. Dobbin has been appointed Minister
to France in place of Mr. Mason, who
is recalled at his own request.
The first bale of new cotton was received
yesterday, from this State, by E. H.
Rogers & Co., from the plantation of George
Norris, Esq., of Orangeburg District, S. C.
i'ha rleft oh St a ? da rd.
At a hop at Newport, R., I., a few
evenings since, a lady from New Orleans,
La., wore a bouquet of diamond, pearls and
precious stones, said to be worth $20,000 !
An agent of the American Bible Society
in Kansas writes that he finds no difficulty
in distributing bibles there, and that
he has organized several Bible Societies in
the territory.
When George III was told that Wolf
was quite uufit to command, and was, in
fact a madman, the monarch replied, "Mad
i jt 1| Air!cV. V.Wrt
?man?iuuu . ?> uu wuu . i? iou uv
some of the other Generals 1"
The Edgefield Advertiser says that
Mr. TVrm. Gregg, of Kaliuia, Edgefield District,
has realized this year very nearly four
thousand dollars from sales in the New York
market, of peaches raised upon the hills of
that District.
To ascertain the length of a day or
night, any time of the year, double the lime
of the sun's rising, which gives the length
of the night, and double the time of setting,
which gives the length of the day. This is
a little method of "doing the thing" which
few of our readers have been aware of.
"Six years ago," says the Norfolk
(Ya.) Argus, "a gentleman with a capital
nf $1,500, bought a farm in this county at
$5,000. In four years he paid for the farm,
with hired help, and bought $1,300 worth
of land besides. lie has recently sold out
at $20,000, and the properly is now worth
$35,000."
Senator Jones, of Tennessee, declared
his intention on Saturday, in his seat in
the Seuate, to support Mr. Buchanan for
tha ProBidpn^i' Tt i.<? also authoritatively
stated that the yulional TntrlHr/rncer, the
time-honored orgau of Clay and Webster,
and the Old Line Whig party, will do the
same thing.
It is stated that the value of the slave
property at the South is not less than two
thousand millions of dollars, a sum equal to
- one fourth the value of all the other property
in the United States, as shown by the
last census. Do the abolitionists expect to
annihilate this amount of property without
resistance.? C'/uirfrstoii S anclarJ.
Last Monday, "Tom Thumb," being
examiued as a witness in court at Ciuciunati,
Ohio, declared under oath, that he is now
nineteen years of age. Many years ago the
show hills aunounces him as being twentyone,
ro that, unlike the generality of mortals,
the "General" is constantly growing
younger.
The purchase of stock hogs for fattening
purposes has commenced quite brisk.
We have heard of purchases at from 84.25
to 85 gross, though both buyer and seller
are at a loss as to price. Until corn prospects
are better settled some one will be
Tin ln^? wii iiiuim plffwtifml limn
usual, and uuless corn falls, must rate lower
than last season, the price being governed
by the ratio of demand to supply.? Wheeling
Intdliye.nccr.
We saw yesterday a very beutiful flag
painted by our fellow townsman Mr. Ladd,
for the 34th Regiment of Militia under the
command of Col. McCorklc, of York.?
Worked on the flag by the ladies of York,
was a beautiful palmetto tree. Over this
was painted an appropriate and haudsomc
v national design by Mr. Ladd. On the whole
it is really a flag around which the 34th
should be proud to rally.? 1 Yinnsboro Rajintcr.
Col. W. D. Wilkes left our State last
week with about sixty men and ?50,000,
the fruits of his lute mission as agent for the
pro-slavery party in Kansas. This is indeed
gratifying success, and places Col. Wilkes
in the foremost rank of Southern defenders.
He deserves much for bis zeal, patriotism
and self-sacrificing labors iu this cause, aud
we trust that a grateful people will reward
him in a manner commensurate with his services.?Informer.
There is an old, gray pussy cat in
Newark, who has recently had an additiou
to her family of six kittens, all of which are
joined together near the hind legs. Iu lifting
one up, you raisj the whole, like a bunch
of bananas. This interesting group of felinity
seems to live very harmoniously together,
with the exception that neither one can tell
which is its own tail! These latter appendages
are so twisted and intertwined that
even the grave and staid mother cat herself
cannot unravel the mystery, and hence the
kittens quarrel occasionally.
Calvin Edson, and ail the fat women,
dwarfs and giants, arc eclipsed by a man
now on exhibition at Havana, who was born
without either legs or arms, but who having
tenaciously set himself to work to conquer
the inconveniences naturally consequent upon
such deprivation, has made himself a
wonder by the variety of his feats. Among
other things, he announces that he is able
to spin a top with such perfection that it
will hit. anv snot named, to snin a dollar over
J "4 / *
/i table, to throw a sling, to take a sixpence
from a table and put it in his left car and
take it out again, to make a knot with a halter,
to thread a needle, to ascend and descend
a ladder, to uncork a bottle with a
cork screw, to load a fowling piece aud kill
anything designated, or put out a candle
with a simple wad?quite woudcas enough
for a man without either legs or arms.
jVe-tc York llcrahl!
Messrs. Jumper and Gilbert, of this
town, have brought out a patent fly trap,
which is indeed oue of the marvels of the
day, and excites a very great amount of astonishment.
It is a wire box, at the bottom
of which is a revolving cylinder on which
the fly alights to secure the sugar or molasses
that he may find there. While thus luxuriating
all unconscious of danger, he finds
himself very suddenly in a dark place, and
on looking up he sees the light above him,
and ascends to it. When there he finds
himself encaged in a little room, whose four
sides are of wire, through which he can
look oat, but cannot get out. lu short he is
in limbo, and new companions in trouble arrive
by each revolution of the wheel, until
there is neither room for them to stand or
fly, when they are all put over a flame of alcohol,
and thus disposed of.?New York
Palladium.
C|e|0rlil)tl(e^it()uircr
EDITED BY
! SAM'L W. MELTON JOHN L.*MLLLER.
YORKVILLE, S. C.
THURSDAY
MORNING, AUGUST 21,;i856.
RAILROAD MEETINGS.
The Stockholders of the King3 Mountain Rail
| Road, are referred to the advertisement in this isj
sue. The Auuual Meeting will take place on the
j 10th of September nest. Every Stockholder who
j has any regard for the interest of our little road,
| should try and attend. Business of considerable
I importance will be brought before the meeting.?
; There will be a President and Directors to elect.
Ti.tu .inn. oii.Mil't Hp sufficient to induce all the
| Stockholders to attend.
The attention of our North Carolina friends is
directed to the advertisement of the Committee
! of the Board of Directors of the King's Mountain
Rail Road. We hope all the Counties interested,
will send delegates to the meeting.
THE 34TII REGIMENT.
On Tuesday, the 10th instant, tho general review
of the 34th Rogiment, South Carolina Militia,
under command of Col. IVm, H. McCorkle,
| took place at Kerr's Old Field. The dny was
| pleasant and favorable for the parade. Instead
I of a hot, sultry day, that might have been expecj
ted in August weather, it was cool and agreeable,
j imparting a cheerfulness and good humour, and
j rendered it a real jubilee to the yeomanry of the
| country. The Adjutant nnd Inspector General,
! R. G. M. Dunovant, Gen. Williams nnd Gen. S.
R. Gist, accompanied by their respective Staffs,
J were in attendance, and with their "nodding
| plumes'' and briliant uniforms presented quite a
| martial appearance. It was a source of deep regret
to the numerous friends and admirers of Goi
?
l vernor Adams, that he was not present with us on
! this the last occasion, they could greet him as
I their Governor. They were ready to extend to
. him a hearty welcome, and no pains would have
1 been spared to have made his sojourn amongst us
pleasant and agreeable. His administration has
i been deservedly popular, and he can now retire,
! from the cares of office, with the gratifying reflec!
tion that he has performed no act but has rcccivj
cd the hearty endorsement of the State, and that
| his memory will be enshrined in the hearts of his
j countrymen. But to return from this short di,
grossion, let us tal:o our stand on the "muster
; field."
We can there see the tremendous outpouring of
; the people, flocking in from every point of the compass
all imbued with the feelings such displays
j are calculated to engender. There is no order of
i mind but is in some manner influenced or nflccted
! by the excitement, the "pomp and circumstance,"
! ever attendant upon these military displays. If
! the officers were actuated bj* a proper spirit, and
! the citizen rr.lditry could be persuaded that they
! were in discharge of a patriotic duty, that they
; were in the full enjoyment of a privilege known
only to freemen?disciplining themselves to do
< battle in defence of their rights, then would wo
' willingly adhere to our present so-much-talked of
j militia system. It is the almost entire want of
I this spirit that has brought the system into such
! disrepute. Nothing hut a genuine military spirit
j and zcnl on the part of the officers, can ever res;
tore it to favor. The officers of the 34th Regiment
seem to be impressed with this fact. During
the short time Col. McCorklc has had command
of the Regiment, he has proved himself to
.be a.dillineut and efficient officer. The ivoluiicms.
were performed in admit able order and with a
skill and precision; reflecting the highest credit
upon the officers.
Col. MeCorkle was ably sustained by Licuten
ant-Colonel T. P. Whitcsides and Muj. Z. I), Harris.
Another fact we note with pleasure, that
Mnj. Mjles Smith, Robert Whitesidos nnd Robert
Necland, three old men, were voluntarily performing
duty in the ranks, from which they are exempt.
The two last mentioned are on the verge
of seventy years of age. We doubt not they
would as cheerfully render their services on a
tnort dangerous and bloody field, if the calls of
patriotism should require it.
After the exercises were over, short, bMt spirited
addresses were delivered by Generals Williams
J and Gist. They were highly complimentary to
Regiment for the skill exhibited in their performance.
General Gist defended the Militia system
from the snoers and jeers of the careless and indifferent,
and discussed the benefits arising to the
! State from a well-organized and effective military
! system. As soon as the addresses were concluded,
; the crowd quietly dispersed and sought their rosI
pective homes, without the occurrence of a single
incident to mar the pleasures of the occasion.
The good feeling and pleasure experienced tiu
J ring the day, may be attributed to the very cxcclj
lent music discoursed by the Bethel Brass Band.
! Much praise and the thanks of all are due them.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Washington City, August 12.
J/y dear Enquirer:?Without preliminary rcj
mark, let me endeavor to write down for your
i readers some of the facts and reflections, embody!
ing the idea of the Capitol of which my ram.
I blings for the past week have put mc in possesj
siou. Contrary to my expectation, I hnve found
! these to be more in number, more attractive and
, more instructive, than 1 have met with at any
[ other point of my journeyings. New York and
| Philadelphia may become insipid and tame ; but
i I verily believe that the stranger in Washington
j would leave it with regret and with a task but
i half accomplished, even at the end of a twelvemonth.
You may readily "guess," therefore,
j that the labor will be to determine what must be
I left unwrittCD.
If time and space would permit, I would like to
j trace the early migrations of Congress, from time
! to time nnd from point to pluce, nnd tell of the
1 almost insunerable difficulties which were snr
! mounted, before the Capitol of our country found
1 a "local habitation and a name." You know that,
j even before the achievement of our independence,
; this topic pressed heavily upon the attention of
i the Colonies, and threatened to endanger all that
: might be won. It was peculiar: A youthful na|
tion, Minerva like, had sprung out, full-armed,
! strong and hopeful: and a powerful people chal!
lenged the respect and admiration of the world,
while yet recognizing and boasting no common
heart. Other peoples had been attracted to, and
had, as it were, crystallized around, their mctrop|
olis: ours had a capital to build! The matter
! was urgent: The government was a myth?a poj
litical abstraction?an idea : and demanded this,
I the strongest as it was the last, link to bind it in
i unity, and arrest the rapidly-increasing alienation
j of its parts. It was difficult: All the prominent
i interests, the powerful factions, local and party
i jealousies and ambitions, not less than the evident
i auguries investing the event with an extraordinary
; importance, conspired to "perplex aud dash ma|
turest counsels."
j The sessions of Congress had already been held
in Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, Lancaster,
I Annapolis, Princeton, and Trenton. In 1783 at
Trenton, a resolution was adopted designating the
i Potomac near Georgetown, or the Delaware; but
; this was repealed. Iu the following year, an ordinance
was passed providing for the location of
| the Federal City on the Delaware. In 1785, au
unsuccessful attempt was made to insert the Poto~
mac instead of the Delaware; and in 1787, reso;
lutions providing for tho erection of government
buildings at Georgetown were again.defeated,?
But, strange to say, the ordinance of 1784, as you
! know, was uevcr carried into effect; though it
i was never directly repealed. In 1789, the States
of Maryland and Virginia proposed to Congress to
cede the ten miles square now known as the Dis!
trict of Columbia. This proposal was at the time
rejected ; and during the same session, in tho following
year, another law was passed locating the
;scat of government on the Susquehanna, and
j Harve-deGracc was well-nigh the fortunate spot.
! Subsequently, the Susquehanna was stricken out,
1 and Genuantown, near Philadelphia, having been
: inserted became the Capitol. This act, too, was
at length repealed; and the conflict continued
fiercely until the 1 Oth of July, 1790, when a bill
passed providing that a spot, to be selected by
i the President, "on the river Potomac, at some
place between the Eastern branch and Connogocheague,
be hereby accepted for the permanent
j seat of government."
That this decision should be made despite so
? 1 ' n 4a Kn nnnnnnforl
j many union am maui-ncc*, i? 11111/ m ?v
for by the fact thnt it was the spot chosen and
earnestly insisted upon by General Washington.?
No more signal proof of his commanding authority
can be given. Years before, with Braddocks'
army he had encamped upon the same ground,
; and his quick and truthful eye, tutored by the
daring pursuits of his early life, detected its adi
mirable adaptation to the wants of a great metroI
polis; and, though he could not prophecy the
brilliant future which gave a great trnth to his
words, he then foretold the rise of a mighty city
there. It is certainly a sufficient commendation
| of the strikingly beautiful location of Washington
j City to know that, early and late, it was the favor|
ite and favored spot of him who gave it a name
and an immortality.
Let me throw in here, par parenthese, the striking
fact that the eminence upon which the Capitol
now stands, before the Revolution and while yet
a forest, was called and known as Rome, and the
little creek that was through the cit}-, the Tiber.
| The owner was namo.l Pope, and liis place is
j thought to have taken it? titlo from Mr. Pope's
I pontifical idea?. Tic that as it may, we can earnestly
hope that the coincidence may not prove to
he a truthful omen of our future.
The three Commissioners, Johnson, Carrol, and
Stuart, appointed to the duty of founding the
city, began their work in 1701. "Washington in
his frequent correspondence called it the "Federal
City," in his beautiful simplicity of character
not dreaming of another and a better name; but,
the Commissioners, in September 1791, directed
[ that the district should be known on the maps as
\ the "Territory of Columbia," and the city as "The
| City of Washington." The plan is positively
; unique?nothing in the world like it. On each
I side of the Capitol ca<t and west arc streets, running
North ard South, numbered from one to
twenty seven, and known as 1st, 2nd, 3d, &c; and
intersecting these at right angles are Streets, A.
B. C. &c. running cast and west, employing a?
titles the whole of the alphabet for each section
North arid South. This is all very well and very
proper; but in addition, tiiere are fifteen spacious
. avenues, from 130 to 100 feet wide (called foi
the fifteen States first entering the Union) running
in all possible directions, cutting and slashing
eacli other and the little streets into "ten thousand
smashes," and looking as if some crazy surveyor.
"going it blind," had shot them through
i at random. On a map, it looks positively funny;
and in reality, it almost perplexes the stranger oul
of his wits. "Where the avenues intersect each
other, are vacant plots of ground, triangular ol
?coui'fv, ninny "f wv.rtrh' tluVP ucuu mlui'ilSCTtlS pub.
lie parks, and are among the ornaments of the
City. With such strange freak? to contend with,
] however, Washington is a noble City, and the verj
j irregularity of its plan will yet become one ot the
j features of its remarkable beauty. The dimenj
sions of the plan are -11, miles N. and S., and 2.1
! miles 11. and W : area 3,000 acres, one half ol
I
i which was reserved for the use of the government:
circumference, 1-1 miles; aggregate length ol
streets 100 miles, and r.f the avenues Go miles.
Think of travelling such a distance over a city,
the population of which is as yet but GO,000!?
The principal street is Pennsylvania avenue, running
East and West; which is interrupted by the
Capitol in the eastern, and the Presidents' House
in the western sections, both of which are situaI
ted centrally with reference to the sections, and
about one mile apart. Between these, of course
the prominent points, lies the most densely-inhabited
and business portion of the city. Four ol
the avenues, and North and South and East and
West Capitol Streets, which I have not mentioned
intersect each other at the Capitol grounds ; and
five avenues and any quantity of little streets
conic to a point at the other centre, the '-White
House."
Now, kind reader, imagine yourself in the selfcomplacentcondition
of one who dined sumptuousj
ly at Brown's elegant marble-front Hotel onPean|
sylvania avenue, (in company with your corresI
pondent, of course) and join me in a ramble up
| the avenue to the Capitol. The view of theCapi\
tol as we get out on the street is much obstructed,
almost entirely concealed in fact by thick growtli
j of forest trees. A wall: of half a mile brings u?
! to the iron railing, forming a semi-circle around
j the West front, and enclosing spacious grounds
1 thickly studded with the noblest specimens of the
; American forest, growing apparently at random
' and yet planted with that studied skill, which,
j producing the impression of the absence of al
art, Is itself the very perfection of art. A more
enchanting forest-scene is not to be found ever
where Nature is most at home, and if time wouli
I permit we would willingly consume the day in the
J enjoyment of its never-tiring beauties. But w<
j must hasten on.
! Following the winding pavement, we soon reach
1 the terrace, which screens the larger portion o!
j the basement, and ascending a flight of steps
| fiud ourselves in front of a Monument, erected bj
j the officers of the Navy to the memory of thcii
| brother officers who fell at Tripoli. Upon a pe|
dcstal resting in an oval basin of running water,
i rises a small shaft, at the four corners of which
| arc marble figures representing the Genius ol
; America, History, Commerce, and Fame, and up
! on the top of which is a representation of the A5
merienn Eagle with the symbols of the Union.?
i On the pedestal are the names of Somers, Caldj
well, Decatur, Wadswortb, Dorsey, and Israel, all
l gallant names, whose title to immortality was won
[ nobly in a battle which is almost forgotten, was
; yet as hard-fought as any known to our annals.?
! Ascending now to the top of the terrace, and crosI
sing the broad granite walk, we arrive at the enI
trance of the building; but we shall here change
1 ?niiMo nml nnssincr nlnnrr un aisle runnine
j VV41 ? ..v. J, q c
through the basement, niako our way out to the
' east front. Proceeding to the outer edge of the
j lawn, which, occupying a space of a least twenty
j acres, presents a picture of beauty inferior only
! to that on the west side, we obtain the imposing
; view of the Capitol, familiar to all, but known es1
pccially to every school-boy who has become dig|
nificd with the possession of a copy-book.
While admiring the grand proportions of this
magnificent pie, let us turn for a moment to its
history. The plan was designed by an amateur
architect, Dr. William Thornton; and the cornerstone
was laid by Gen. Washington, 18th of September
1793, the first year of his second term as
Chief Magistrate. In 1800 the seat of government
was removed to Washington, and the work
on the capitol progressed with varied success un- ' u
til 1814, when, with a spirit of Vandalism which ' c
has not often disgraced the pages of tho history 1 tj
of civilized nations, it was burued by the British j p
army. After the war the work was resumed with , fi
fresh vigor, and was completed in 1825, having ;
cost the government the respectable sum of near- * ii
ly three millions of dollars. In 1850, I think, ap- j -n
propriations were made for the erection of two j si
new wings, North nnd South, each C24 by 152 j tl
feet, of pure white marble. The corner stone of ! h
the enst-wing extension was laid, you remember, i a
by President Fii.lmorf., on the 4th of July 1851, j ti
when Daniel Webster delivered one of his most j tl
brilliant efforts. This work, half-completed as ! c
yet, disturbs and detracts from the view of the s
Cnpitol, which has been further mutilated by the j n
removal of the Dome, which has been taken down | u
preliminary to tho erection of one of larger pro- j tl
portions, corresponding with the increased size of
the edifice. We must therefore be contented with s
I n tinlf niftture. rrmsnlinir ourselves with the knowl- a
I 1 '" ? I
edge that when the work is complete our Nation- \ n
al Capitol, prescribing a truly imposing front of : 1
j 750 feet, with its noble position and its command- p
ing proportions, fashioned richly and elegantly ti
yet with republican simplicity and a sererely ; n
classical taste, will command admiration as the i k
proudest monument of American genius, taste and b
skill, the grandest achievement of American art, o
the pride of a free, liberal and mighty people, and t
the unappvoached wonder of the world. li
As we pass throngh the eastern grounds, we o
are attracted near the centre by Greenough's stat- e
ue of Washington, which, on account perhaps of t
a position and an attire illy befitting a represen- 1
tation of the "Father of his Country," docs not r
command thejattention which as a work of art it a
undoubtedly deserves. Approaching nearer, we o
ascend a long flight of steps to the grand portico, E
1G0 feet iu extent, elevated on a high basement c
and adorned with a double row of magnificent o
Corinthian columns, surmouuted by a pediment or c
tympan embellished with a group of statuary, 1
nf A Qrtifl fn hn tl?P? "V
rcureacmiug mv uc?m?? ?v?., u?.x. w
i gift, and, not unlikely tlio production of Jobn
Quincy Adams. Upon cbeek-blocks on each side
i as we enter tbc portico, nrc placed Persico's celei
brated group of statuary, "Columbus and the In~
. dian Girl," and a group entitled "Civilization,"
i by Greenougb, representing tbc fierce conflict between
tbe Backwoodsman and the Indian. We
have not space to express adequately the impresi
sions made by tbe contemplation of these noble
productions; nnd, indeed,our untutored taste and
poverty stricken vocabularly make us unequal to
the task. Columbus, standing in majesty, strength,
power, with a world held forth in his outstretch|
ed hand; the crouching Indian maiden, a very imi
personation of the savage character; the hardy
i backwoodsman contending with and conquering
his savage foe, with the wife nnd child beautiful
t in conception as they are perfect in execution,
tremblingly awaiting the event?all are surely
i worthy of the commendation to be bestowed upon
I the perfection of art and the most celebrated of
modern artists. Further on, in two niches on ci- |
i thcr side of the door, arc two statues also by Peri
sico, symbolical of react and War, to both of
r which much the same words of praise might justi
ly be accorded.
Before entering the Rotunda, us let give place to
r the reflections which every visitor must indulge [
. when first standing upon that spot. The eastern ,
. portico has not inaptly been called "the vestibule i
. to the great temple of the Union"; here has been !
, enacted scenes, in the annals of our people, which
in true grandeur and singular greatness nre not to
t be compared with any known to tho profane his,
tory of the world. On the fourth of March, of
each fourth year, a new altar is erected to Liberty,
ma ltd numtg TOV VTgTrtetnip~ggew, truuilli- attll
more brightly with incen3e offered up to Liberty's
God from the gratelul hearts of assembled freemen.
Here, when the hour has comp, the ruler of a
mighty peoplo calmly lays aside the insiguia and
willingly resigns the sceptre of his office while the
High Priest, ministering at the altar, annoints to
his great duty, ami invites with the sceptre, him <
" " ? -- ^ _i i? i.: 4_ i ,
W110 01 au Lias DVCU o:iusi:ii uy ma jrccrs vu niuiu
p in his turn tlic destiny of the nation. A scene so 1
sublime, in its touching beauty and simplicity, so .
far removed from the pomp, and pride and display
. of power, so severe in its Republican truthfulness,
. in vain demands a paralell. Here, on the sclf,
same spot, have stood and have been sworn to
, their high duty, all the great men who have di?
. rccted the progress of the Republic, save the elder
[ Adams and the greatest of them all, Washington:
, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams,
. Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison, Polk, Taylor, and
p Fierce ; and here, too, have stood Calhoun, Clay
I and Webster, higher on the scroll of fame than all
[ save one?Hamilton, Burr, Randolph, Wright,
I McDuffie, Wirt, and the host who have worshipped
i in the temple, and gone to their crown of reward!
, A sacred spot indeed! would that the violence of
contending factions might be stayed, that we might
hope never to see it buried beneath the crumbled
columns of that mighty Temple and broken, dis
ordered fragment of consecrated Book of the Altar?the
glorious Constitution !
i | But our pages have grown beneath our pen
alarmingly, and we must reserve the completion
, of our letter for another sketch.
i Yours, s. w. m.
!
I Washington' City, August 13.
j With the reluctance of one who has much to
, see and but a limited time at his command, and
j with the hurry and confusion of one who hns very
much to write and a too circumscribed spaco in
[ which to write it, I resume the task of sketching
, for your readers my progress of exploration
. through the Capitol. If I remember aright, my
I career terminated suddenly, in the ^st letter, J
, with some conglomerated, "high-fulutin" stuff '
, about the "vestibule"?ideas which never fail to f
turn up in the trains of fanciful people ns they '
i enter the truly imposing portico of the Eastern 1
f Front. Now we leave but to proceed through the 1
( door-way, to find ourselves in the far-famed Ro- 3
' tunda?for its grand proportions and the rare *
beauty and splendor of its adorning?, far the most *
attractive and interesting spot in all this wide do,
main of ours. As the name implies, this Hall c
i situated immediately under the dome, is circular c
f around and over-head, and is 96 feet in diameter i
and the same number of feet to the apex. The C
complete, circuit of the walls is indented with 1
panels, distinguished from each other nnd decora- i
ted with entablatures, and festoons of olives and r
I flowers. Eight of these panels, occupying the s
i portions of the walls nearest the floor, arc occu- r
i I pied by historical paintings, illustrative of the n
j most prominent events in American history.? j f
| Abovo these, four of the smaller panels contain i
! stone busts of Columbus, Raleigh, Salle nnd Ca- i
i bot. There are four entrances: the :wo, eastern j f
; and -western, leading to the respective fronts of s
' the Capitol; the Northern, to the Senate Cham- [ ii
i ber; and the Southern, to the Ifall of Reprcsenta- '
tives. Over these entrances are small panels con- I n
J taining Italian sculptures of historical subjects? I n
; the Landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Pock, I t
over the Eastern door; the Preservation of Cup- r
tain Smith by Pocahontas, opposite; J'enn's Treaty ! e
with the Indians, on the Northern; and tho Con- <1
flict between Daniel Boone and the Indians, over the ^ s
j Southern entrancc.j : S
With the exception of the last, these works do j c
j not make a forcible impression. Boone and the v
! Indians, however, though at first glance a rude ' a
bas-relief, is universally commended as a work of y
genius. It represents the great hunter in conflict 11<
with two warriors, one of whom lies vanquished I a
nder his feet, and the other, recklessly defiant, j
losing Trith him in the death-struggle. The
ruthfulness and power of this work can be best j
roved to you, by copying the following pnragragh
torn the Guide-book:
"A band of Winuebagoes, on a mission to Wash- j
lgton, once come through the Rotunda. They j
ere noble looking fellows, dressed in their own
tyle. Their faces were variously painted; in
lieir belts were their scalping knives and tomaawks,
and slung over their bucks, their bows and j
rrows. Passing through the Rotunda, their at- i
untion was caught b.v this group, lloone killing :
lie Indian. They immediately formed a semi- i
irele, and, while the chief stepped forward and I
tood before the rest, they looked intently, scrutiizing
and recognizing every part of the seenc, |
??:i : i,.? ii.,... 1 I
Uta hUUUlillJ, US 11 UJ UIIU lll^J'IISV) IIRJ IUI7CU |
lie dreadful war-hoop, and ran from the liall!"
Rut the most interesting of the gathered tree- |
ures, which adorn this magnificent garner of art, |
re the eight large historical paintings, before i
lentioned. Four are from the pencil of Col. J
'rumbull, and besides being fine specimen.? of
ainting, are exceedingly valuable as preserving j
o all time accurate and life-like portraits of the |
acn of the Revolution. Col. Tni Mnrnr., you i
now, was himself a hero in the struggle, a mcmier
of the military family and an intimate friend i
f Washington, and had not only the best opporunity
of obtaining correct likenesses of his co- i
aborers, but was an active participator in some j
f the thrilling scenes which, after the battles were
nded, he so faithfully gave to posterity. The first
o be mentioned is the Signing of the Declaration of
'ndrpemlenct. It represents graphically the stiring
scene in old Independence Hall, Philadelphia,
sthe fearless, fire-hearted IIaxcock inscribes his
wn at the head of the column of great and ornaucntal
names, with, the firm countenances and
ommanding forms of the author, Jefferson, and
f Franklin, Adams, Livingston and Sherman, his
o-workcrs, gatheved around him ; while seated
ierc ana mere, an tne noose noroes, wnose xatne is
rritten on the scroll treasured above all in the
cmplc of our Liberties, are in every form and feanre
silently approving the act which proclaimed
hat "these united Colonies arc, and of right ought
o be, free and independent States." A scene it
ras, worthy to be, as it has been, fitly coninicmoated.
Copies of this picture liar e been frequenty
engraved, and most of our readers probably have
low a better conception of it than I can give.
The next is "The Surrender of General Burjoyne,"
to General Gates, at Saratoga, 7th Octoicr
1777?containing portraits of the rival comnanders,
of Putnam, Stark, Morgan, Schuyler,
ind other distinguished officers of the army of
he North. The third, "The Surrender of Lord
lornwallis at Yorktown," represents the last act
if the great drama of the Revolution, and preicnts
accurate portraits of Washington, Lincoln,
Inmilton, Wayne, Trumbull, Steuben, and of our
latriot allies La-Fayette, Rochambcau, and their
ellow-soldicrs, as they lived and acted. The
ourtli portrays the crowning glory of the life of
rVasbington, the Resigning of his Commission at
Vnnapolis, December 23, 1783. Probably no scene
ias ever been enacted by mortal man which so
intirely possesses the elements of true moral granleur,
and none more truthfully attests the beauty,
he sublimity, the almost God-liko perfection
narking all tho traits which constituted the great
diameter of oar Washington. The artist could
lot help but feel the inspiration from such a fitdug
and touching theme, and in every feature of
lis master-piece the inspiration of true genius has
>een imprinted. But if it were of no other value
ho lovely faco of the woman who won the heart
>f the ' f ather ol lus uountry, 11s sue sniueu a
iwect approval of the act which crowned the frecrrf
cpwulij' tmd -gnrc a husband to her
iome, would make it worthy of its place, and denand
for it an universal appreciation.
Other paintings are the "Embarkation of the
Pilgrims" from Delft-llaven, Holland, July 21st
IG20: the ''Landing of Columbus," by Vanderlye;
:he "Baptism of Pocahontas," by Chapman ; the
'Discovery of the Mississippi by Desoto May
1511," by Powell; and over the Western entrance
ms recently been placed Henley's great painting
?' Franklin, with the American Commissioners,
Dean and Lee,endeavoring to persuade Louis XVL
x\ recognize the Independence of the American
Colonies." The last named has some points, esjecially
of drapery, in which, T think, it surpasses
my painting I have yet seen ; but I cannot profitibly
employ your valuable space by alluding more
m ticulnrly to it or to the others I have mcntion d.
Of all these splendid triumphs of American art,
lone took such fast hold upon me as the "Deparure
of the Pilgrims"?a t' ' me which is invested
,vith all the charms of pure romance, and which
s here represented with a justness, a delicacy
md a beauty of tone, expression and fiuish, which
(light to give to the work a reputation wherever
irt is known. But I point out this subject, rather
'or the purpose of paying homage to the bewitchng
loveliness of the face of the ivify of Miles StunIt.ih.
As she kneels with the pilgrim-fathers in
>rayer, leaning trustingly and lovingly upon the
nanly form of her husband, and with clear, bright,
jenm'ng eyes looks forth a womnns quick mtelli;ence,
ft womans pure devotion and iv woman's
rucst love, you are thrilled with the realization
>fthc most exquisite beauty, and catch a glimpse
>f that pure and angelic light which must illumine
ill the vaulted aisles of Heaven, and floods with
apturc nil the hosts that throng around the
;hronc of God. I have stood there for hours, and
ret I verily believe then is enough of heaven on
>arth in that face to charm the most obdurate
mart forever. There is nothing Grecian, nothing
[toman?no Circassian feature there?nothing but
;ho purely Saxon faces of a simple-hearted pilrrim
woman, whose posterity even now mark out
md perpetuate her noble character, nnd in some
legree redeem the almost object degration into
vhich the pilgrims' posterity have fallen. Until
rou have gazed upon that countenance, reader,
ct mo tell you, you know nothing of the Beautiul.
In the Rotundo, is also to be seen a plaster cast
if Houdon's celebrated Statue of Washington, the
iriginal of which, said to bo (though I hope it is
lot) the most correct likeness extant, is in the
Capitol at Richmond. Hero, we also have the
iberty of inspecting, fur a time, a model of the
Umosphcric Telegraph, which actually conveying
nail matter from point to point in a fabulously
ltort space of time, threutens to supercede in a
ncasure the lightning inventions of Morse, House
nd others. Thus far, however, Congress has reused
to extend its patronage to the invention, and
t may yet turn out to be a failure. In the Rotuula,
too, you may, day and evening, turn away
rom the fine representations of life on canvass and
aarblc, if you choose, and enjoy the living, breathag
animated picture of life as it is. A dense and
aried thing is always there?great men and small
aen, pretty and ugly women, foreigners and Anericans,
all mingling together, and nil admiring
he many attractions of that splendid conservatoy
of American genius, of which I have endeavord,
faintly and feebly I know, to give you an ade- j
unte ccnception. To sit there daguerreotype and
tudy the life pictures as they pass to and fro? 1
lenators, Representatives, Ministers, Generals, I
itizens, and last but not least the fairest of our i
romcn, is a recreation not the least to be valued !
mong those which Washington affords. But as
ou have not, many of you, seen it, you are doubt- j
sss tired of my tame loiterings in tho Rotunda: ;
nd will cheerfully consent for me to leave it. |
tL fc 'V
Leaving all enthusiastft behind and in a very
matter-of-fact sort of style, let us pass through
the South entrance, and find our way into tho Gallery
of the Hall of Representatives?which notable
spot, I need scarcely remark, is in the second
story of the South wing. It is scini-circular in
form ; the chord of the largest dimension being
Oti feet, and the highest point of the ceiling, GO
feet. In tho centre of the chord connecting the
points of the semi-circle is the Chair of the Speaker,
raised above the tloor and canopied ; and high
above it, under an arch, is a colossal statue of
Liberty, by an Italian artist, Causici; and a noble
figure of the American Kngle, just ready to fly.?
Behind the chair, and of course facing the members'
seats, is the Ladies' Gallery ; ami in front of
the Speaker, following the semi-circular line of
the Hall, is the Gallery for "the rest of mankind."
In front of the latter named Gallery, and very
much in one's way, aro ill massive columns of
dark and variegated Potomac marble, surmounted
by capitals of white Italian marble. The dome is
beautifully painted, in imitation, it is said, of the
Pantheon of Rome. The members' tables, are
il/MPn lining in n mnnnnr PAPrncnAtulinfr
with the semi-circular shape of the hall. In front
of the Speaker's Chair, immediately over the main
entrance, is a marble statue of History, in a winged
car, the wheel of which is made to serve the
purpose of the clock-dial. The Republicans are
seated on the right of the main aisle as you enter;
and the Representatives of the democracy on the
left. It is a somewhat suggestive fact, though of
course it is accidental, that while the statue of
History is turned, sadly I imagine, to the right,
and appears in the act of recording the fearful
[ events that have their origin there, that of Liberty
looks hopefully, I fancy, and with outstretched
arm points steadily and cnlmly to the left while
the noble eagle upon which she is supported stands
ready for the wing. Though in itself a t: ivial and
unmeaning ciicumstance, the events of to-day
give it a significance which is striking. Well may
she appeal to the Democracy, now; and if the appeal
be vain, well may the strong and valiant bird
bear her away in flight to another and a more congenial
clime. Leaving the Hall of Representatives
for a time, for we purpose to visit it wheu
the House is in session, let us make our way
through the Rotunda, to the Senate Chamber.
After passing through the North entrance, we
must wind around a half dozen passages, knock at
and run through a dozen doors, and make our...i
: ui? ,,
I llliai'lttUlV ?vi " inm-IIWUI, UJUIV WI Ui-5 Ui
the end of just such a probation we shall probably
happen upon a door leading to a stair-way, over
which is printed "Lndie's Gallery If such be the
case, inasmuch ns it is both gallant and safe, we
shall enter, and winding arouud awhile we shall
presently with good luck find ourselves looking
down upon the far-famed Chamber of the Senate?
in form exactly resembling the Ilall of Representatives,
differing only in size. Hero the ladie's
gallery, followiug the semi-circular shapes of the
Chamber, takes the place which in the House is
occupied by the opposite sex, and vice vena. It
is seventy fivo feet uttd forty-five high?
utterly devoid of /miatnents, if we except the
scene of Ionic colnrus supporting the gallery bcliiud
the Presidents chair,*and an admirable portrait
of Washington, by Pealc, over the Chair.?
In the area, the Senators sit in a semi-circlar
; form, as in the house, each however, with a sepaI
rate mahogany desk. The furnishing of the Cham!
bcr, and indeed of the House is misornbly ordinaJ
ry, and out of keeping. Indeed, though there is
that in both to recall the glorious and soul-inspiring
recollcctious of the past, one cannot but be
disappointed and chagrined by their teedy and dilapidated
appearance. The halls in the "old-barn"
in Columbia arc not one vHi\t uglier?jnst as respectable.
However, the place for the new rooms
in the wings now in progress of erection, console
us with the promise that, when they are completed,
our Congress will have Halls in far better
keeping with the character, the wealth, power and
dignity of aitr people.
In the western projection of the Capitol, on the
same flow, is the principal Library room, which
is constructed entirely of iron, but so elaborately
and splendidly pnintcd and gilded, adorned and
finished, ns to produce any other impression tn
the beholder. I can give you no idea of the ex
quisite finish of this Apartment?it far excclls
anything of the kind I have ever seen, and makes
one believe himself in the very fairy-palnce. The
Library orginnlly built was burned in 1814. After
the war it was again completed, and was occupied
mainly by Mr. Jeffersons' private collection,
purchased by order of Congress. The collection
was from time to time enlarged until 1851 when,
you remember, it was much mutilated and the
room consumed by fire. The present beautiful
apartment, has grown out of the last fire, and its
alcoves now enriched with 60,000 bound volumes,
many of which are of the rarest value. It is uni
surpassed, in the number and value of the volumes,
by any Library in this country, save the Astor in
New York, and that of Howard; and will in a few
year3 own no superior. In the collection are many
curious books, to speak of which would mak" your
pages an almost interminable catalogue; and I
shall only mention the quaint copies of the ''London
Gazette," from I660 to 184G, a period of 175
years!
In front of the Library, is a portico, or rather a
sort of recess with twelve Corinthian columns,
from which the spectator can obtain the finest view
to be had of the City of Washington. To describe
, this as I saw it, just at the setting of the sun, dej
niands more of words than my almost exhausted
j vocabulary will afford. I have enjoyel the view
of the James River, at Richmond; of the bustling
city and magnificent bay of New York from Trinity
; of the sedate and sober city of "Brotherly
1 r ? 11 f 1,1 T_ j J tt?II . kni I
JLOYC, iroiil U1U lllUCfJCUUOUVU 11.4*41, i/UW IMV itvn i
I towards the West from the Capitol, with its panorama
of quiet, serene yet animated life, surpasses
j all in its peculiar and charming beauty. Far down
to the South, on the banks of the Potomac, which
winds calmly through the scene, we behold the
ancient town of Alexandria ; nearer, Fort Washington,
the Arsenal and the Asylum; in front, the
Smithsonian Institute, with its quaint Norman
j towers, and the Washington monument already
: marking the horizon, aud in the back-ground, hill
I and dale, forest, plain and park, mingling, in the
| rarest combination, all the charms of rural scenery.
Leading away of the right is Pennsylvania
I avenue, distinctly defined, with its animated
j throng; at its apparent terminus, the President's
House surrounded by the massive Department of
State, of War, the Navy and the Treasury, beyond,
in the distance, rises the dome of tha National Observatory,
and the Heights of Georgetown, and
nearer and more to th^Nortb, the General Post
office, and the Patent office, and Interior Department.
almost concealed in the thickly populated
musses of the city- At our feet fire the forest trees, j
j flowers and greensward of which we have spoken, |
a fresh and beautiful ground plot befitting such
an euchantiug picture.
But the reader will doubtless deem such words
extravagant; aud with the remark that we have
now seen all that is specially worthy of note at
the Capitol, we shall bring them to a close.
Yours a. w. m.
Heavy Rulu and Wind Storm In Louisiana.
New Orleans, Aug 15.
A violent rain and wind storm commenced Saturday
night and contiued Sunday, doing immense
damage to the streets. The tity was flooded every
few hours during the last few days. The wind
ceased on Monday. The rain continues with little
cessation. The waters in Lake Ponchartrain were
blown back, submerging farms and the Jackson
. > ^ & - . r? ?
y
* * ~ ??
* XV, - 31
railroad. For many miles; the destruction of
property is immense and incalculable.
Yesterday evening a report reached the city thai
the island in the Lake, a summer resort, was
completely submerged, all the buildings swept away
and 139 lives lost. Tho steamboat Star, a
small packet was driven ashore 400 yards front
the hotel and wrecked; it was reported that 250
persons were clinging to her." A steamboat has
been dispatched to her assistance. It is hoped that
the rumors are exaggerated, but they have the
appearance of truth. It is feared to be too true.
The island was mostly frequented by wealthy
planters. The neighboring parishes contained a
large hotel with numerous cottages?all gone.?
The water rose at the rate of one foot a minute.
It is reported to bo fivo feet deep all over tbo island.
Some rain this evening.
New Orleans, Aug. 10.
Accounts from Last Island verify the sad story
of yesterday. It is positively ascartained that
one hundred and eight persons aro lost. It is (
feared that Oaand Caillon Island, another watering
p'.nce, has shared tho same fate. Corn, cotton
and sugar are incalculably injured. The Texas
steamers Nautilus and Perseverance are several
days due. The steamship Texas, has gone in
search of them.
The storm extended far up the river, as far as
heard from. At the Government Hospital, Baton
Rouge, fourteen inches of water fell on Sunday
evening. The weather is clear this morning.
second dispatch.
New Orleans, Aug. 16.
The survivous at Last Island have reached the
city this morning. They estimate the,loss of life
at two hundred and eighty two, already counted.
Many of the survivors are wounded, braised
and have broken limbs. The dead bodies hare
been plundered by n Set of priests who inhabit the
Island. The Perseverance and Galveston hare
arrived. The Nautilus not heard from.
third despatch.
New Orleans, Aug. 15.
Nothing definite from Caillon Island, bat "tu.
doubtcdly there is great loss of life. It is reported
thnt thirty bodies have been found at one end
of the Island. . The
loss of porporty on Last island is estimated
at $100,000. It is supposed that $10,000 in money
have been taken from the pockets of the victims
by the fell hands of the pirates, besides $5000
in the bggage on the river. The banks caved in
at lkyou Sara, carrying away three residencesno
lives lost.
Several vessels have been blown ashore at the.
mouth of the Mississippi. The telegraph Hues
have suffered severely. The Br. schooner Manchester,
from Beliz,e Honduras, went ashore at
the South Points, reports a large fire at Belit a
few days before her depnrtuc?loss half a million.
For the Yovkvillc Enquirer. %*
To the Patrons of the Yorlcvllle Fustic Cel.
lege.
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the
Yorlcville Female College, the undersigned were
appointed a Committee to ascertain, and publish
the facts in reference to the health of Yorkville.
We have according applied to nil the practising
Physicians of tho Village or C i poratioii?-the
limits of which extend one mile from,the Court
House?fur written statements of all cases of disease
botli whites and blacks, their character, ages
of patients, and deaths, attended by each for'the
last seven days, and a like^tatement f.r- the last
tweuty-fonr hours. These statements hare been
readily and kindly furnished us. On inspection
of them, the list of disease is so meagre, that the
committee regard it unnecessary to trouble the
printer by throwing our statement into the form
of the usual tabic of mortality.
We find that, during the longer time above named,
there have beon within the Corporate limits,
embracing a population, as believed, of about
eighteen hundred inhabitants, fifteen cases of disease.
Four of these cases were Flux?two of this
number, it is stated, woro Vof old standing:"*?
The character of the other diseases are considerably
various, running down to a Carbuncle. There
has been only one death,' find- that a child from
Cronp. . ..
For the lost twenty-four hours, no case of Flax
is reported by either of the Physicians. One
Physician reports a case of Teething and Diar- <
rhoea. The other cases reported, few hi number,
are the ordinary diseases of the seeson, and cause
no alarm.
The committeo were verbally assured by several
of the Physiciaps, that our village has been
more healthy during the wholo of the present summer
season, than the two preceding suinmers.'?
Regarding the statements of the Physicinnsbs
absolutely true and faithful, and deeply impressed
with the responsibility of our position and undertaking,
the committee say to the Patrons of the
Female College, that erroneous reports of the
health of Yorkville have been circulated abroad
?that, although death ltaa been among us at the
command of Ifiro, whose hand no man can stay,
nor climc escape, yet our village is enjoying its
usual freedom from disease?that we Jknow no
reason why Yorkville should- hot be regarded as
healthy as any other tillage in the State. We
feel constrained, however, to add our solemn belief
in the truth of the declaration: <4In the midst
of life we are in death."
W. C. BEATTY,
JOHN S. MOORE,
I. 1). WITHERSPOON.
Yorkville, Aug. 19, 1850.
From the Charleston Mercury.
The Sign* of the Times.
Benton's defeat in Missouri, and the triumph of
the Democracy in Arkansas, Texas, North Carolina
and Kentucky?which last was supposed to be the
stronghold of the American party, in the South?
have produced some strange revulsions. The Benton
Democrats, wc are informed, hare dropped
their own Electoral ticket, and united with the
anti-Bentonites, while the Fillmore party bas -divided
into two wings?the Southern, going for
Buchanan, and the Northern for Fremont. These
statements are not yet positively verified, but their
truth is very probable. Wc are indebted to our
own telegraphic reports for the former, and to
that of the Standard for the latter.
So far ns Mr. Fillmore is concerned, this course
of his friends but realises what the elections have
made apparent?the hopele.-sness of his cause in \
the South as well as the North.
The letters of the two Senators from Maryland,
advising the people of that State to support Mr.
micnanan, weui iorio exunguisu 111s nopcs, wncre
before they were sanguine and confident. And then
this rout in Kentucky completely bewildered all
the calculations of his friends, and foretold his doom
in the other Southern States. Mr. Fillmore's
only expectations were in the South. At the
North, there was not a single State upon which a
reasonable hope could be based; and, therefore,
in tho face of these developments at the South,
nothing was left hut to write the verdict already
declared, and withdraw hiui from the field. To
remain, would bo only to embarrass the success
of others, without benefitting himself. Regarding
Mr. Fillmore, then,as in fact out of the contest?
whether withdrawn or not?it becomes a matter
of interest to consider what effect his withdrawal
will have upon the chances of tho two competitors,
Buchanan and Fremont.
In the first place, it is clear that it will not.affect
Mr. Buchanan's prospects in tho South. The"
recent elections show how united the South is in
support of the Democratic nominee, and how,idle
are the efforts of the opposition. Mr. Fillmore's
withdrawal, therefore, will only secure to Mr.
Buchanan larger majorities in the South, without
iu any way affecting the final result. Mr. Buchanan's
strength in the Electoral College, so far as
the South is concerned, will be neither increased
nor diminished by any courso Mr. Fillmore's
friends may see fit to pursue.
But how will it affect Mr. Buchapan at the
North ? This is the point most important to the
result. With the infinite shades of existing opinions,
the force of merely local interests and pfc^Jadices,
the animosities of old party divisions, and
the thousand other elements which must enter into
the calculation, it is, of course,impossible to predict
with accuracy what will be the effect at the
North of the withdrawal of Mr. Fillmore. But
this point, we thiak, must be admitted on all bands :
that it will briug to Mr. Buchanan's support the
conservative feeling hitherto wasted on Mr. Fillmore.
Divided between Mr. Buchanan and Mr.
Fillmore, the conservative of tho North offered,
in some States, an easy victory to Black Bcpubliconisra.
But united in favor of Mr. Buchanan,
they will improve his prospects, where, till now,
they have been gloomy.' It cannot be supposed
that, in a contest between the Democratic party
f