The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-12-08
VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.


The Methodist conference of Virginia continues
its sessions in Petersburg On Thursday morning
Rev. John Kerr was passed in examination of char
actor and continued on the supernumerary list
The Bishop then called tho name of Rev. VIM.
A. Smith, OF Randolph Macon college, when Rev.
f. Z. Wilson, the presiding elder, announced that
charges had been placed in his hands by Rev. Chas
f. Deems, of the n. q. Conference
Dr. Deems then arose and read = list of charges,
which were objected to by Dr. Smi th as unlike in
some respects to those placed in the hands of Mr.
Wilson and Of which he had been notified
The Bishop decided that Dr. VIM. A. Smith
should be tried on the charges handed to Dr. Viii
SON. Here DR.. Deems raised question of law
which was to be submitted in writing The chars Qes
were then read and submitted as follows:
First Charg.-Fasehood-- s. denied both
the charge and specification.
The second charge also falsehood, which
ruled out by the Bishop as alien to the original
charge.
Third CAarse-Feischood, which was denied AZ
to the charge and much of the specihca ton as
stated that (he) Dr.. 8 made any statement before
the students Of Randolph Macon College
Fourth Charge-Imnorality.-T charge and
specification both denied.
Filth CAurgG-Immorality.
SIKH Charge e-immorality lity.-Ruled out by the
Bishop as not one of the charges originally prefer
red against DIR. s.
Sersith Charge.-Falsehood.- Smith admits
the specification but denies the charge
Eighth Charge.-Slander.- charge was de-
nied maintaining that the statement by him (Dr.
% referred to IN the charge, was true and justified
by circumstances.
The testimony was then proceeded with, the
witnesses for the prosecution being called for ex-
animation.
The Conference met again in the afternoon, at
half past three o'clock, to proceed with the trial of
DR.. Smith. Bishop Andrews opened the meeting
with prayer.
The examination Of testimony IN the case was
continued. The Rev. Mr.. Frost was efoss-exam,
iued by DR. G. +. Deems, after which the Rev.
lessrs. n. F. Reid and James Reid of the North
Carolina Conference were examined
The depositions of the Rov. Is. 7. Blake. Of the
N. G. Conference, and Rev. W. e. Doub, of the
same body, were presented as proof upon the first
charge. The testimony Of the sccuser upon the
second chargs was then closed, upon which the
second charge was assumed Mr. Deems then Of.
fered in evidence the deposition of the Rev. James
H. Brent of n. c.; copy Of the finding Of the com
mittee who were appointed to settle the difficulty
existing between Drs. Smith and Deems, at the an
rua session of the N. G. Conference held at Pitts
boro in 1854: aud examined, also, Revs ID. b. Mich
olson, and r. T. Hehin, Of the n. G. Conference.
Before the conclusion of the examination of the
latter witnee g. the Conference adjourned ~
A large assembly OF tho community werc pros
ent.
A LONDON Foa.--Fcw peTsons csn form any
idea of density of London fog, from what they
occasionally sec in this country. On the 18th and
10th November dense fog prevailed in London
and Its vicinity, during which steamboats, and ON
nibuses ceased to rum hacks and cabs got on the
sidewalks, numbers of persons walked over the
wharves into the Thames, and were drowned: sim
liar accidents took place in the locks and basins
of the several DOCKS with many fatal results per-
sens were stopped and robbed in tho streets with
impunty, and several shops were plundered in day
time, without possibility of efficient interference
by the police, 50 dense the misty pail that over
spread rhe monster city.
-
MERCER PoTAToEs.--In the early part Of the
present century, John Gilky. one of the early set
tiers Of Mercer county. Pa produced from seed the
justly celebrated Mercer potato. which Was after
wards cultivated by Mr.. Pearson. Of Mercer CO.,
la the netghborhood of Darby, Delaware CO.. Pa,
whence 1t spread over the Union. Tins Gilky, a
poor solitary "exiIe Of Erin" has done more to
benefit mankind than many. . hero OF hundrcd
battles.
TERRIBLE EFFECTs az A WATERsPouT.-0
the 20th OF October the French ship-ofthe line lie
Tage encountered of Cadiz waferspout, which
In few moments swept away her three masts.--
Two men were killed and seventeen slightly
wounded by this catastophe. Tho officer on guard
had his arm severely bruised. The crew spent the
night In clearing the deck and erecting temporary
ma.ts On the 2lst tho ship was towed into the
port OF cadiz by p weasel which she hailed
MISSOURI LEGISLATURE. = In the House, on ths
a an act re. gssssa me
5000 annually, for ten years, for this purpose Il
be expended under the control Of the State Coloni
zation Society.
THREE You've LADIES DROWNED. I'VE lear
| from the Wheeling Argus that on Tuesday even
ing three young ladies, Misses knight, Hubbart
and Hissoin, were drowned in the Ohio q Sisters
villc by the swamping Of skid In the swell Of th'
steamer Hornet The ladies were In the skin By
themselves, crossing from the Ohio side, wher,
they resided. for the purpose Of attending chnrcl
in Sisterssille. as.ss -
6TEANERs ron AusTMTA. Tho Austrian Con
snl at New York has contFaefsd win the proprie
tor of the Mprgen Iron Works, for building tWl
lpoMer1nl law preasssn. carl 1eUlng bApsenginet
for the Danube Steam Nayiestt0n Company. Tn
i engines afo calculated TO be put % beard Of ~
towing barges to run over the famous rapids Of Ii
Iron Gate on the Lower Dauuhe