The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-23
CONGRESS-WEpNEspAY.

SENATE.-Mr. Jones, Of Tennessee, pre-
sented memorials from the city of Memphis
Tennessee, praying that additional aid be Civ
en- to the Collins line of steamers Il
Mr.. Sumner presented the remonstrance
OF 2l0 members of the Legislature of Massa-
chusetts against the renewal of Woodworth's
patent.
Mr.. Brodhead presented petitions from Phil
adelphla against granting additional aid TO
the Collins line.
MIR. Geyer introduced bill for the i'm.
provement Of the navigation of the Mississippi
river.
The subject of non-intervention was post
poned TIL Wednesday next.
The bill for the improvement of the dam at
Cumberland island, in the Ohio river was de-
bated, and then referred.
The deficiency bill was resumed, and seve-
raj amendments were acted upon.
House OF REPREsLNTATIvEs.-Th House
resumed the consideration of the bill from the
Senate. to enforce discipline and good conduct
in the naval service; when Mr.. Mills0n replied
to MIR. Bocock. his colleague.
Under the operation ofthe previous question,
an amendment, in the form of a substitute, Of
fered by Ar. Stanton, of Tennessee, Was voted
upon, andidisagreed to.
The substitute of Mr.. Millson, authorizing
summary courts-martial, and designating pun
W
last heard from the Capitol
Is The following letter did not reach us in
season for Publication yesterday. twill, how
ever, be found interesting:
Correspondence of the Dispatch.
WASHINGTON, April 20.
The "oldest inhabitant" does not remember
so greatand devastating rise in the Potomac
as we are now recording. Early ON Saturday
evening, the 18th, the rain commenced; and TO
the present moment it has continued without
lntermlssslon; vast amount of water has fll.
len throughout, it would seem, the whole val
ley OF the Potomac and its tributaries, causing
an unexpected overflow. most disastrous in its
consequences. The Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal has suffered, as | learn, immense
damage. The merchants on Water street, in
Georgetown, have also suffered severely in the
loss of produce and lumber; the wharves in
Washington, as also our city canal, are also
submerged We have received news of the
loss of the fine bridge at Harper's Ferry, and
also Of the chain bridge at the Little Falls,
above Georgetown. A great portion of the
Long Bridge over the Potomac, connecting the
cities of Washington and Alexandra has been
carried off by the freshet Our neighbors at
Alexandria have also experienced their share of
the general destruction ofproperty consequent
upon this calamitous visitation.
HENRIco.
P.S.-9 o'clock, p. M.-The rain continues.
have just left the steamboat landing; the
wharves are entirely submerged, thus effec-
tuaiiy cutting off the embarkafion or landing
of passengers. la view of this state of things,
ii was deemed advisable to hasten the depar-
ture of the mail boat in order TO effect a safe
landing at Aqua Creek. Capt. Darracott con-
seguently LETT al half past six o'clock, p. Nj,
without. of course, either mail or passeng ers.
This will be satisfactory explanation Of the
failure of tonight mail.
attempted to-day to communicate with You
by telegraph, but owing 10 the loss of the long
bridge, over which the wires were conducted.
all intercourse with the South is suspended
The waters continue to rise, and we apprehend
that. before morning. the entire frame work of
the long bridge will be coursing its way TO the
ocean. III.