was, according to the circular, not a doubt.  In reference to other heads, there were strong doubts!  The Congress now assembling was an earnest of what he said:  that august body George strongly recommended to the esteem of all aggrieved citizens.  Did any one doubt the genuineness or the national character of these epistles he had but to refer to the great seal on their front, which was none other than that of the Legation at London.

“The reader may now easily imagine our increasing difficulties.  On proceeding to the Hall at the appointed time, I found our Ministers in a general state of alarm.  Souley had received a private and very confidential letter from his agent in Paris, forewarning him of Louis Napoleon’s intention to descend upon the Congress, perform a coup-d’etat, and having nicely bagged the game, appropriate it to his own table.  In view of this, Monsieur Souley recommended an adjournment to a more congenial atmosphere.  Messrs. Buckhanan and Belmont rising together, objected to any such movement, inasmuch as it would discover a spirit of weakness, to guard against which Uncle Caleb and Master Fourney had given express instructions.  Here a long cross-fire of discussion ensued.  I thought it had neither head nor tail, and was something after the order of what Mr. Pierce conceived to be the object of this Congress, for it resulted in nothing, the speakers all agreeing to withdraw what they had said.  As a first move to the organization of the body, it was agreed that Hanz Voghnine, who was privileged to open a bar for the sale of good liquors in one corner of the hall, would be the only outsider admitted.  Hanz was accordingly examined in reference to his being a spy; the result being satisfactory, he was enjoined to keep nothing but a first-rate article.  On the second balloting I found myself elected President, which high distinction, having been conducted to the chair amidst soul-stirring acclamations, I acknowledged in what is generally termed a neat and appropriate speech.  Noggs was at the first ballot elected Sergeant-at-Arms and door-keeper in general, the duty of which offices he promised to fill to the very best of his abilities.  A vagrant-opinion was rife that Monsieur Souley would have filled the office of door-keeper much better, himself being so easily opened and shut.  However, as Noggs had been voted the office, we all reconciled ourselves to the selection, each member providing himself with a gin-sling, and taking his seat.  A silence, as of the tomb, prevailed, while I rose to open the proceedings of the first day.  I first made my own bow, then drew forth the State paper commissioning me to call together ‘this august body.’  Mr. O’Sullivan suggesting it was agreed that there being out so many documents of a similar character the reading was rendered unnecessary.  I bowed to the decision.  A similar fate awaited an attempt to read several of Mr. Pierce’s private opinions.  Mr. Buckhanan said we better hear what