The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-27
LOCAL MATTERS.


The LATE Far AT rnE CAPIToL.-- We have
already given an account OF the burning Of the
Library o. Congress; but no idea could then be
formed a. 10 the origin of the fire, we have taken
some trouble TO examine into the subject aud from
personal Investigation, We cannot bot believe that
the fire the result Of accident for the following
reasons
The fire was discovered, by those who first
broke into the room, confined to the immediate vi
cinty Of that portion of il through the wall Of
which passes chimney, with Ave ues leading from
rooms on the floor below the Library, into which
wall there we're wooden rafters supporting the cir
cuar galleries of the Library. The butts of these
raiters pierced the wall 80 come in close prox
unity with the hues. The rooms below, with
which these fiues are connected, were heated by
fire. The servant attending these fires was in the
habit OF covering them up upon leaving the pre-
misses In the afternoon, and reminding them every
morning between five and six O'Clock. The ap-
pearance OF the chimney from which it is sup
posed this fire originated gives the impression that
the mortar between the bricks against which the
raiters butted had been destroyed, probably for
some time, by the action of fire and heat So that
the process of ignition OF the ralters may have
been going on without detection; and, upon re-
newal OF the fire below early on the morning of the
conflagraton, the raftcr may have become go burnt
as to allow of fire falling to the floor and table be-
low, where it was at first discovered.
Since writing the foregoing, We learn that the
opinion expressed as 70 the origin of the fire is gene
rally accredited, and about which there can scarce
be doubt.
An impression prevails that the original manu-
scripts of Washington, Jefferson, Madison IiamiI-
ton, and others, were consumed by the fire; but we
learn, from good authority, that such is not the
fact.
1t will be seen by reference 10 the Congressional
proceedings, given in another portion of this pa
per, that the Librarian has made partial report as
TO the amount OF books lost, &c, and that legisa-
tive action has been had in regard to the late con-
| hagration.
1 Workmen have been regularly employed in re-
moving the burnt rubbish, and were still busly
engaged up to the close of yesterday.
! ALEXANDRIA AND Baltimore FIREMEN.-W
I have seen a letter from Mr.. A. hammond, chief
engineer of the Alexandria fire department, adj
dressed to the President of the Perseverance Fire
Company of this city, in reference to the late fire
at the Capitol. Among other things, he says: 81
have made this statement to chow our brother fire.
men or the District that we were, and always will
be, both ready and willing to lend our feeble as :
sistance whenever needed" and they were only
prevented from coming TO ngton-notwith-
standing the extremely unpleasant condition of the
weather-from the fact of being informed that the
fire in such condition as to render their aid
unnecessary.
We also learn that the fremen of Baltimore, i'm
mediately upon receiving Geographic information
OF the fire, assembled, and several companies placed
their apparatus railroad cars, which had been
promptly rendered for their use by Thomas Swami
esq, the President Of the Railroad Company, for
I AZ ~ ~
ment. subsequent despatch, however, was re-
ceiyed from the authorities of this city, stating that
the fire was subdued, which prevented them from
coming.
SIeNoRA BscAccIANTl's CoNcERT. - ignora
Biscacciant, who had the misfortune to be over
taken with calarrh on a recent occasion
having recovered, will this evening give
concert at Carus's Saloon. We have heretofore
had occasion to allude to the high professional repu-
tation of this lady, and to the desire of the lovers
of music to Hear her vocalization; and as we pre-
sumo the public curiosity is still undated it may
| be expected that large and fashionable audience
will be present this evening to give the fair cana
trice such reception her eminent abilities, her
reputed goodness OF heart, and her vexatious
Affections in this city entitle her to.
! BANK OF WAsKINGToN.-H B. Sweeney, esq.,
for years the teller of this institution is about
oretire for the purpose of engaging in banking
and exchange transactions in G Georgetown. They
! who have had business with the bank will regret
that this accomplished, prompt, and able officer
/ has resigned tho position which he has filled with
80 much credit to himself and the company, while
4 they cannot but wish him abundant success in his
I new enterprise. We learn that i'll consequence of
Mr.. Sweeney's retirncy, VIM. f. Howard has
bsen appointed paying teller, and Charles A.
James, receiving teller.
CRIMINAL CouRT.--in this court yesterday, Will
4 liam Biddle was found guilty of assaultng John
Sweeny, and sentenced TO imprisonment in Jail for
two months In two other cases, for similar of
fences towards VIM. Dorsey and Ezekiel G. Simp.
son, he was declared guilty, and ordered to pay a
fine of five dollars in each case, and to stand COM
1 mitted until the fines and costs are paid.
William Baker, John Johnson, William Crow
4 ley, William Ronley alias Rcmmclle, Henry II.
Parker, and John Edwards, were put upon trial,
under charge of riotng, (being parties to the
! fracas, in November last, on Seventh street, of
which we gave in our lant publication account
on the trial of johnson upon charge of assautng
officer Hickerson.) The trial had not concluded
when the court adjourned.
NATIONAL THEArRE.-Thc Popular opera Fra
DiauOlO, performed last night, is to be repeated
to night.
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