The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-21
LOCAL MATTERS.


court or the public anticipated. although dfty seven
Gays have already boon consumed. II commenced,
on the eleventh Of March last, and the evidence
was closed on Monday Of this week. On Tuesday.
Hr. Fenoaii Tor the prosecution, began bis address
to the gentlemen Of the jury, rejoicing that this
point in the arduous cause had at last been at
tanned, and concluded it yesterday morning;
when instead Of reply from the counsel for the
defence, they renewed the proposition made by
them previously, namely: to submit the to the
Jury without further argument, not, however,
waving their rights in the premises, being, they
said prepared to respond. After conversations
between the respective parties and the court,
relative to questions arising from the proposition,
the case went to the jury about half-past two
O'Clock The court remained in session until the
usual hour of adjournment, leaving the jurors in
an upper chamber, with an officer not far distant
to attend to their wants inl' tf arfo1
All the jurors except those on this panel, were
recently discharged until next Monday week; it
being supposed that the arguments of counsel
would occupy the attention Of the court until that
time. Consequently there will be no other jury
trials meanwhile; and but few, if any, before the
June term.
HOUSEHOLD SPLrsDoR.-The furniture of the
Belgian Minister was sold by Barnard and Buckley,
,
on the heights of Georgetown. There was large
and fashionable array of both bidders and silent
spectators, and much interest was generally mani
tested in the vendue. The sale was by catalogue.
Every article of furniture, with one or two excep-
tons, was made to order, expressly for the Min
lister, by valiant, Of Brussels, manufacturer for
the royal family and the nobility, and by lie Page,
OF Paris, the two most celebrated manufacturers
OF Europe; but we are not prepared to say whether
1t was better on that account than any that could
be manufactured by American mechanics for the
"sovereigns" of our own country. There were,
besides, choice and valuable oil aintinRs Turkish
and Persian carpets plated ware rich china and cut
glass and other household luxuries and necessares
Having commenced with the garden and agricutu.
raj tools, and sold the entire kitchen ware the auc
toneer proceeded to dispose of the furniture OF the
east drawing room, mentioning the imported prices
OF some OF the articles as he progressed; the fol-
lowing serving as specimen, and which precede,
enclosed in parentheses, those which be obtained
for them. Two superior mahogany jardinieres, or
sofa tables, with trays-for fowers-each ($40)
Sl4; one very superior mahogany centre table
(S22) Sl2; very elegant rosewood red damask
spring seat chairs ($200 dozen, at which the
company smiled, but MIR. Barnard assured them it
fac) $40 80 one bronze hearth brush,
50 25; one carved rosewood centre table, SOL; one
rosewood console etagere, with mirror, (S60)
S3l; one rosewood inlaid reading desk, with
screen (S22) Sl2 so; ebony liquor case, inlaid
with metal, containing four rich cut bottles and
sixteen wines $3.50 S24; ebony writing desk,
portable, inlaid With metal, ($32) SIG; glass
case of and costly stuffed birds, from South
America, rich carved rosewood base ($25)
Sl3; a splendid rosewood boudoir piano forte six
and half octaves, made by Borden & Co., Brus-
sells, S450) S2S5; carved osewood piano stool,
morocco seat, SIS so; inlaid rosewood fire screen,
with foot stove and heater, $l2; two carved high.
backed antique chairs, by Malfat, $2l each, and
four rosewood and plush velvet armfchars, style
comfortable, SS2 each. The above, we presume.
will give an idea Of the average of the entire SALE
SUBTEsRANKAN IMPRovRMENTs.-Whoeve has
passed through the pillared space directly under
the rotundo of the Capitol where the furnaces are
always in full blast could not fail to notice the
large number of boxes directed to members of
Congress, and containing hundreds of dollars
worth of books, voted by and to themselves out Of
| the public funds. Such has been the increase of
those appropriations within few years past that
more room has become necessary for the purposes
| Of package and stowagc; and hence the exigency
must be met. Accordingly the cellars have been
remodelled, white-washed, and paved recently,
of the Commissioner of Public Budings,) with
flight of steps leading thereto from the crypt. 1t
is decided improvement, and one which ought
to have been made long since
Among the rubbish which had accumulated in
the subterranean recesses the original plastic
models of some of the figures which adorn the
Capitol, but these have been considerably defaced
either by the contact of harder substance or the
finger of time; an empty demijohn; old books and
papers, mouldy, and of bat little value; lumber,
and tin and brass o-lamps, (the latter consigned
to darkness on the introduction of gas chande-
licrs) Even the space under the crypt, directly
in the centre of the Capitol, lin the form OF a
CROSSE intended for the receptacle of the remains
of Washington, had been filled with rubbish. But
now, every nook, corner, and passage in the base
ment of the edhce has been cleansed and puri.
fed; and instead of being the dwelling place of
spiders and of rats it has been admirably adapted
to useful purposes
DESPERATE AssAULr.-We learn that early on
Thursday morning Charles Adams, Of Fairfax
county, Va went to the premises of Mr.. Samuel
Shreve, and attempted to take away horse. Mr..
Shreve undertook to prevent him. when Adams
drew large bowie knife and made several cuts at
Shreve, wounding him badly in the hand. Mrs.
Shreve, perceving her husband in great danger,
caught Adams by the back, and In all probability
saved her husbands life She, in turn, was struck
with stone by person who accompanied Adams,
but who unfortunately escaped. Adams was ar
rested, and, in default of $500 bail, was commit
ted by Captain Goddard for his appearance at
court. g.,
BUILDING LOT, No. 49, of the subdivision of
lot J. in square SIS, fronting twenty feet on
II street north, between Fourth and Fifth streets
west, with depth of one hundred feet to alley,
sold yesterday afternoon by Stratton, auc-
tioneer for 25 a cents foot, to Mr.. James A.
Kennedy. ts4 - = a... ai ass..s ~ 10
MERCANTILE LIBRARY AssoCIATIoS.-At an ad-
journed meeting of young men, held in the lee
ture-room OF the Smithsonian Institution on
Thursday evening, constitution vas reported
from committee appointed for that purpose and
ad opted. The utility of such an association is ap
parent and trust that it's success will be equal
TO the sangune anticipation Of its many friends.
The Music We are requested by the Commits
sioner of Public Buildings to state that the Marine
Band will perform this evening at the Presidents
grounds rn-.o9 l- tiaH