The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-20
THE REPUBLIC.
Local Matters.

JAMES CREEK CANAL.-A memorial OF inhabit-
ants and property owners on Grecnleafs Point and
on the line Of James creek, (signed by F. w. Rit-
ter, Joel w. Joncs, VIM. b. Randolph, A. l.. Ed
wards, VIM. Ashdown, John Van Reswick, Thos.
Smythson, and others,) was presented to the Board
of Aldermen yesterday by DR.. Morgan, and laid
upon the table until the subject shall again come
up-a joint resolution having previously passed the
two Boards requesting the President of the United
States to order a survey of the creek and the
grounds adjacent, etc. They express themselves
highly in favor Of opening canal, to be denomi-
!. mated the Washington Branch Canal, using for
that purpose the channel of James creek which ca
nal is to intersect the Eastern branch at Green
leafs Point, little to the eastward Of the United
States arsena and say that number of capitalists
and others interested in the prosperity Of city
| are prepared with ample funds, and are ready
with promptitudc to enter upon the construction
of the said canal, as proper authority shal
have been given them for that purpose. The me-
| moralists have been informed that funds TO the
amount of over one hundred thousand dollars have
| been provided, and now in readiness to be
pended in the proposed canal; and that more, to
| any requisite amount, can be had to complete the
work connected with the canal; and that, at its
entrance into the Eastern Branch, it is proposed to
construct capacious basin. having sufficient
ueptu Oh Wattr 10 lOdt an VESSEL WHICH Can pass
the bar at the mouth of the Eastern Branch, where
it ia also proposed 10 establish an extensive depot
for coal
The mcmorialiss show the importance of the pro-
posed Branch canal in a commercial and sanitary
point Of view.
The WAsHINGroN AND ALEXANDRIA STEAM
BOAT COMPANY, it have already been stated, has
contracted with Thomas Collyer, of New York, for
the construction of steamboat to ply, in connex-
ion with the s'Thomas Collyer," the Potomac
river. The keel has already been laid, and is one
hundred and forty feet in LENGTH while that of the
hull will be hundred and forty six feet; breadth
of beam, twenty -four feet; depth hold, and
half feet. The frame is TO be of good white oak
or chestnut. She is of superior model, and will
be of very light draught of water
This company have. by their enterprise, afforded.
in cheap and pleasant manner by water, instead
of rough road as heretofore travelled opportuni-
ties to visit Mount Vernon, SO interesting from its
associations with the Father Of his Country, to all
lovers of civil and religious liberty.
The Thomas Collyer'' commenced its trips to
Mount Vernon last summer.
TAxEs.-The bill imposing taxes for the year
1851 has passed the two Boards ofthe City Councils.
1t is precisely similar in the rates, to that of last
lows ''No part of this act shall be SO construed as
to impose tax stock issued by this corpora
ton" The Board of Aldermen, by a vote of ayes
S. s, refused, after debate, to strike out this
section.
THE RECENT HOMICIDE. - Yesterday Justice
Smith fully committed for trial j. H. Powell, cap
tain Of the Patrick Henry, who caused the death
of John Merinder, the Sth instant, at White
Point, by striking him on the head with a stick
the particulars attending which published in
the Republic of yesterday. The justice refused to
iberate the captain the ground, that he doubted
his power to take bail, and not satisfied that
the courts in this District have jurisdiction of the
The prisoner will be brought before Judge Craw-
ford this morning on writ of habeas corpus, when
these points will be examined.
GAs-HoUsE.-It is proposed to erect new gas
house the intersection of Maryland avenue
and Four and a half streets. Citizens of the Sew
enth ward, in that vicinity, opposed to this,
believing, as they say, that the manufacturing of
gas is nuisance, in consequence of the smell issu-
ing thercfrom, and injurious to the drinking wa
ter, and detrimental to the prosperity of the neigh
borhood.
ExTENsIoS OF SUFFRAoE.-The Board of Alder
men last night passed the joint resolutions of the
Board Of Common Council, providing for ascertain.
ing the Of the voters at the ensuing city cleo
on ON the subject of electing all the officers under
the corporation by the people. Tickets to be pre-
pared for" and "against'' the proposed reform,
and the commissioners holding the election to
furnish them to the voters. In the event that a
majority of the voters shall be in favor of the cleo
ton of all officers by the people, it shall he the duty
of the Joint Committee of the Board of Aldermen
and the Board of Common Council to apply to
Congress for an amendment of the corporation
charter in this particular.
- SrocKs-ln the money article furnished by
'Uhubb and Schenck, published in Yesterdays Re
public, the Bank of Metropolis stock quoted at
70 cents. This, we are informed, was error 1t
should haveEread 1922 a l05
DIED,