Georgetown weekly news., 1855-01-11
Arrival of the Sierra Nevada.
LATEST NEWS,

lloHI tne ScdG vi wal III EUROPE, anu HOHc
from the Atlantic States up to the 18th ult
We compile from our city papers:
CoNGREssIoNAL.-It is understood that
resolutions will be offered in Congress for
inquiry into the management and utility of
the Smithsonian Institute, and as to the
expediency of abolishing it and returning
the bequest by which it was founded.
On the 5th December, Hon. j D. Bright,
of Indiana, was chosen President of the
Senate, in place Of Mr.. Atchinson, by a
vote of "a to IL.
Mr.. Weller, of California, had introduced
a bill in the Senate, similar to Mr. Latham s
bill in the House, extending the California
Land Commission, and for other purposes.
The House Committee on Public Lands
have unanimously agreed toreport Latham s
bill back at the first opportunity, without
amendment, and with recommendation
that it pass.
In the House of Representatives Dec.
5th, resolution calling on the President
for information respecting the conference of
American Ministers at Ostend, was discuss
ed and rejected. The vote on the River
and Harbor bill, despite the Presidents
veto, was yeas 95, nays so. Bills were in
troduced to remodel the diplomatic and con-
sular systems, and further providing for Sc
curity of life on board of steamers. On the
llth, the House refused leave to the offer
ing of a resolution requesting the President
to tender his mediation in the pending war
in Europe. 1t is understood the resolution
will be renewed at an early day. The Pa
cifc Railroad bill was postponed to the sec
ond Tuesday in January. The call for a
special committee to investigate the Grey
town affair was voted down.
From the correspondence of the Herald
we CLEAN the following:
Tomorrow is the day to which the Pa
cific Railroad bill was postponed from last
session by consent of Mr.. McDougal. | am
more than ever satisfied, however, that it is
dead cock in the pit 1t never had a
chance from the hour Mr.. McDougal con-
sented to put it to sleep for the benefit of
the Nebraska men, and it is beyond resus-
citation during this Congress by mortal
man.
Messrs. Latham and McDougal are con-
tinued on the same Standing Committees
in the House, of which they were members
last year.
Mr. Buchanan has been unable to con-
clude the Central American negotiations.
The Know Nothings have already intro
duced various measures for the repeal or
modification of the naturalization laws
The resolution of Mr.. McDougal was
passed postponing the further consideration
of the Pacific Railroad bill until the second
Tuesday in January, and making it the
special order for that day. He also pro-
cured an order for printing, with the reports
of the surveys of railroad routes, and maps
necessary to explain them.
The indications now seem to be that there
will be no change made in the California
mail steamer contracts, nor in the contract
with the Collins line A union of interest
will save them all from the hand of rctrench-
ment or reform.
1t is stated, and with truth, that the AL
lies have made an offer for the purchase, at
a large price, of the whole of the Collins
line of steamers, but they can't get them at
any price.
There is said to be no applicants for the
Governorship of Utah.
Santa Ana was enlisting troops in Swift
zerland.
FoRE1GN.-BATTLE OF INKERMANN-A
Russian sortie of 10000 men attacked the
Allied army before Sevastopol on the event
full 9Th of November The loss of the Rus
slams is said to have been $4,000 in killed
and wounded out Of 10000 troops. The
subjOined account of the battle will be read
with thrilling interest:
Very early on the morning of the 5th of
November, Russian army nearly 100000
strong, 10000 of whom consisted of rein
forcements that had arrived the previous
evening, under the command of Gen. Dan
nenberg and the Grand Dukes Michael and
Alexander, taking advantage of an extreme
ly thick fog, marched to Inkermann against
the extreme limits Of the English, and at
tackled them vigorously. Gen. Cathcart
collected about 5000 men, with whom he
opposed the Russians, and for more than
two hours this handful of gallant fellows
fought with the most heroic intrepiditv
against an army numerically so superior,
when French troops arrived in all haste.
and joining the English, with an admirable
spirit of fraternization, opposed the enemy
with corps of about 5000 men, who
charged the Russian columns, driving them
back with the most irresistible impetuosity.
Monet's brigade came up soon after, and it's
arrival completed the rout of the Russians,
who retreated in disorder about four o'clock
IN the afternoon. During this engagement.
5000 men of the garrison of Sevastopol
made sortie, and attacked few compa-
MES supporting the French lines that are
not more than 100 metres from the place.
Gen. de Lourmel advanced immediately
with a few battalions to aid those comma
mes who were intrepidly sustaining the at
tack. lie repulsed the Russians, and put
ting them to flight, pursued them to within
thirty paceS of the Onarant;no hnn4;on