The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-21
Local Matters.

Ing dec1ned admlttlng MN 10 Dali several W.T.
nesses were examined in relation to the circum-
stances attending tho death of John Merinder, by
a blow from the captain, board the schooner
Patrick Henry the 9Th instant, at White Point,
about ninety miles from the Potomac, the particu-
lars of which we published on Monday.
Mcrinder, according to the testimony. was in
/ toxicated when he rushed towards the captain to
strike him and it is alleged that the atter struck
him in self defence. An important point in the
evidence adduced on Sunday clearly ex-
planned yesterday. Instead Of meaning that Me-
rinder was drunk that he would have fallen at
the time he rushed on Captain Powell, if the cap
tain had stepped aside, the witness said that Me-
rindcr would have fallen from the violence Of the
movement alone
! p. R. Fendall, esq. was present for the United
States.
! Mcssrs. C. s. wallach, Carlisle and McKim APP
peared counsel for the defendant, and Judge
Crawford admitted him to bail in the sum Of three
thousand dollars for his appearance ut court
LocUsTs.-True to the calculations and predic-
tons Of entomologists, y few, comparatively, of
the seventeen year locusts have made their appear
anco in this vicinity. Some were taking an airing
in the city last Sunday. A gentleman, who on
Monday the District line, saw hun
dreds Of them. They will all, no doubt, shortly
muster for the purpose of depredating the fruit
of the fields, of which, fortunately, there is much
moro than enough to satisfy their voracity, and
of the choicest qualities.
| In eastern countries loousts are remarkable for
numbers, and hence one of the most dreadful
scourges. A traveller. relating what he of
them, says: 'rhese were Matched in
June than each of the broods collected itself into
compact body of an eighth of mile square, and,
| marching afterwards directly forward towards
the sea, they let nothing escape them; eating
up every thing that green and juicy, not
only the lesser kinds of vegetables, but the
vine likewise, the fig tree, the pomegranate, the
palm, and the apple tree, all the trees of the
| 6eld-in doing which they kept their ranks like
men of war, climbing over, rs they advanced,
every tree wall that in their way; nay, they
entered into very houses and bed chambers like
thieves. The inhabitants, to stop their progress,
made variety of pits and trenches all over their
fields and gardens, which they filled with water,
else they heaped up therein heath, stubble. and
such like combustible matter, which severally
set on fire upon the approach of the locusts. But
this was all to no purpose, for the trenches were
quickly filed up, and the fires extinguished by in
finite swurms succeeding one another, whilst the
front regardless Of danger and the pressed
on close that retreat was altogether impossible.
day or two after of these broods was in mo-
| ton, others already Matched to march and
CLEAN after them, gnawing off the very bark and
the young branches of such trees had before es-
capped with the loss only of their fruit and foliage.
NEW GAS woRKs.-We are requested by the Of
fcsrs of the Washington Gas Light Company to
state that the new works about to be erected on
square c, between Maine and Maryland avenues,
not rosin oil works, which liable to the OBJ
ectons stated in the Republic of yesterday, but for
the manufacture Of gas from btuminous COAL Of the
most approved construction, and arranged in all
respects that nuisance will exist either from Of
fensive odors by any overflow to affect the water
Of the neighborhood
Very great improvements, it is represented, have
been made in the structure of coal gas works, and
in their various purifying processes during the past
few years, and none have been more successful than
the present contractors, Messrs. Battin, DUNCAN
& Co., of Philadelphia, whose extensive manufac-
tories ut New Haven, Connecticut, and Char leston
South Carolina. not only models of architectural
skill and mechanical continuance, but arc entirely
free from every description of nuisance, as shown
by the testimony of persons living property ad-
joining.
The works proposed to be erected by the
Gas Company are Of similar description, and
it is thought will be great public improvement,
and one that must enhance materially the value of
surrounding property, of which those residents of
this part of the Island who have examined the plans
and specifications on the files Of the company Of
fee are fully convinced.
RoGuz-oArcHINa.-On Saturday Officer Thos
E. Williams left this city in pursuit of William
Cameron, who was charged with having obtained
jewelry from Mr.. William voss under false pre-
fences. While in the cars he became satisfied
from certain circumstances that one of his fellow
passengers had stolen horse somewhere in Vir-
ginia, and sold it in Washington for twenty dol
lars, one. fourth of its value. Mr.. Williams
subsequently surprised the fellow by arrestng him
at the Relay House. And on arriving in Baltimore
he transferred John Tippot-for that, he said, was
his name-to the police. This was an unexpected
duty. route. Continuing in pursuit of Came
ron, he was successful in capturing him in the
train of cars, just tho of departure from Bal
timore for Philadelphia. He brought him back to
the city, and Captain Goddard, on Sunday night,
committed the offender for trial during the ensu-
ing term of the criminal court.
The SToRM.-We visited with another
storm yesterday afternoon-not quite so furious as
that of Sunday morning, nor of as long continu-
ance. There were, however, rain, thunder, and
lightning, in abundance.
GREEN PEAS were yesterday sold in the Centre
Market at from l2 to 25 cents per peck, and straw
berries from l2E to s7s cents per quart The sup
plies were plentiful.
The CARNcRoss FAMILY have kindly proposed to
give the proceeds Of their concert this evening at
Odd Fellows Hall, to the two Orphan Asylums of
this city. We trust that there will be full attend
ancc.
0y-Mr. c. ". LANES, No. Harrison street.
Cincinnati, Ohio, Is General Travelling agent
for the Western States, assisted by j. r.. Smith, j.
r. Dent Jason Taylor, J. w. Armstrong, Perrin
Locke, w. Ramsey, DR.. Joshua YadsDorth, Aler-