The daily republic., 1853-08-26
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

WAsHNGToN, August 2j, 1858.
| did not intrude upon your columns yesterday
because had really nothing to say which l had
the vanity believe would be of slightest interest
to your readers. And / am little better off to-
night We are again in the midst Of one of those
periodical seasons of news famine, that ever and
anon put the most industrious news gatherer up
on short allowance. A day or two will probably
bring relief to all parties; SO, good reader, don
get impatient, but rely trustingly on the 'good
! time coming 3
Major Mordecai, who returned day or two
since from Mexico, whittier he went on tho last
expedition in search Of the alleged Gardiner
mines, has not yet made his report, but will do SC
very soon. Before going on this duty Major Nor:
decai in command Of the United States
arsenal near this city, which command he has moi
resumed. Major Mordecai is spoken Of by those
who know him best as "walking manual rela-
tive to any and every thing appertaining to the
ordnance service He is man of science, tho
roughly skilled in his profession, for which he
seems to have passionate attachment, and is a
gentleman of strictest probity and great prudence
Especially does he know how TO keep his own
counsel, and the Government did well in select
ing him for the Gardiner commission His own
family even not apprized of the nature of his
business or the direction in which he was about
to go when he started for Mexico; and it was
some time after his departure before it was sus-
pected. Indeed SO quietly didhe depart, that when
it was announced that he had gone, and upon the
business stated, the special correspondent of a
New York paper Indignantly telegraphed to his
office that Major Mordccai's departure, &c., was
news in Washington.
The arsenal is at present under command of Lieu
tenant Crispie, young and popular officer, under
whose direction very large amounts of guns and
ammunition being forwarded to the Rio
Grande. Among the shipments now being made
is that off heavy battery.
The military storekeeper at the arsenal is Ma
jor Theodore Lewis, who served his country gal
lantly in Mexico, and is well known us a kind
and amiable gentleman, as well as faithful pub
lie officer.
r. c. Murphy, esq.,, recently appointed United
States Consul at Shanghai, was married to-day to
Miss Lynde, of this city. The wedding, which
took place at the residence of the bride, was at
tended by number of distinguished gentlemen,
among whom was NJ Villami, the Minister from
Ecuador, in full uniform.
The mail just received from Santa Fe brings
intelligence that Major Weightman, the late del
egate to Congress from New Mexico, had been
| 'posted" at the former place by Lieutenant Fran
els J. Thomas, U. S. A., Of Maryland and that
street fight between the parties was expected
| Cause private quarrel, originating at public
house. Several days had elapsed since the
"posting," " but neither party had broken the
peace. There is something little singular in
the story; for those who know Major Weight
man (and he has numerous friends in this city,
will not believe him likely to submit tamely to
insult from any quarter.
take pleasure in stating that the Hon. Secrc-
tary of the Navy has SO far recovered from his re-
cent indispositon to be able to resume the dis
| charge of his official duties.
John B. Kinne, of Iowa, said to be sound law
yer, and prudent man, has been appointed Chief
Justice for the Territory of Utah.
J. G. Willis, of Massachusetts,, has been ap-
pointed United States Consular Agent at Loango,
on the west coast of Africa a few miles north Of
the Congo river ZEKE.