Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-02-04
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE STANDARD.

CORRESPONDENTS OF THE STANDARD.
es.>5 WAsHiNeroN, Jan. 80, 1857. =
The extraordinary "spell of weather commencing
some two weeks since, completely interrupted the
transmission Of the mails in every direction, making
it perfectly useless to prepare my usual commnn'ca.
ton for last week. The weather has now become
warmer, the mails are again in motion, and resume
my weekly task, giving this however, days start
that it may reach its destination with greater GER
tainty. -
The sudden decease of COL Preston S. Brooks
caused most painful sensation in this community.
He was gentleman of ardent attachments, OF most
noble and honorable impulses, and was greatly be-
loved by al! who enjoyed the favor OF his friendship
He has passed away in the prime of life at moment
when the future seemed to beckon him to renewed
honors and higher position. The obsequies yes.
terday, were of highly impressive character, and
attended by vast throng OF strangers aud CIT
liens, including the President heads of DE- parnents,
Judges Of the Supreme Court, and members OF the
two Houses of Congress. Mr. Buchanan, the Presi
dent elect, was also present in the House OF Repre-
sentatves during the ceremonies.
The Senate has devoted several days of the past
fortnight the consideration of the bill granting aid
to the sub marine telegraph line by which It Is pro-
posed to connect Europe and America. The Dill
gives the company seventy thousand dollars per an
nun for fifteen years, for which consideration the
Government of the United States will have its for
eign dispatches communicated free of any further
charge. The telegraph wire is now being manufac-
tured in England, and the labor Of putting it down
will be commenced in the Spring. The practicable
ty of the enterprise has been demonstrated: first by
the level plateau of sand forming the bottom OF the
ocean between Newfoundland aud Ireland !; and sec
ond, by the actual success of the sub marine line
from the main land in Nova Scotia to the Island OF
Newfoundland being several hundred miles in
length The enterprise is vast stride even for this
progressive age and will bring America into instan-
npico on xxfh EnrONp IdHinU largely
to the importance and influence of this country and
its government.
The Senate has also passed the House BILL author
zing the establishment of Navy Yard at Blythe
Island in the IIarbor of Brunswick, Georgia. Mr..
Biggs endcavored, unsuccessfnlly, to have the bill
amended so that the proposed Naval station should
be located at the most eligible point between the
Virginia and Florida Capes, to be determined by
Board of five competent Naval officers This makes
the total number of Navy Yards to be nine, located
at Portsmouth, n. H., Boston. New York, Phladel
phia, Washington, Norfork, Brunswick, Pensacola,
and Mare Island California. The yard at Memphis,
Tennessee was abolished by direction of Congress-
and the land upon which it was located, given to
that City.
The House has passed the bill increasing the pay
of the officers of the army. 1t adds twenty dol airs
month to the pay of officers Of all grades, and in
the ration to thirty cents There not much
doubt entertained that the bill will receive the sane
ton Of the House.
The bill fixing the value of the old Spanish coins
in circulation was amended bv the House and re-
turned to the Senate. The amendments have not
yet been acted on and the BILL consequently, is not
yet law.
The special committee appointed to investigate
certain charges against members of Congress, that
they had received money for their votes, has been
pursuing its Inquiries with much industry. Their
proceedings will be kept secret until full report is
made, which will include all the evidence taken be-
fore them. As some of the witnesses refused to
testify the committee found it necessary to resort
to greater degree of coercion than has heretofore
been used in the examination of witnesses before
similar committees. Witnesses have usually refused
to answer all questions duplicating persons in dis.
| honest transactions, saying that to answer would
| duplicate themselves. The bill provides that they
shall not be held legally responsible for any testi.
mony, and provides for their punishment in case oil
refusal to testify, making such refusal a INSIDE
! meanor.
One of the members of the committee stated to
the House that there several cases to which the
! provisions Of the bill would apply, but that of Mr.
Simonton, the correspondent of the New York Times
made the immediate occasion for the passage Of
the new law. Simonon testified that two members
of Congress solicited him to make arrangements by
which they M ht secure money for their votes but
! when pressed to give the Names of these members
| he declined. the ground that it would be viola
ton of the confidence under which the arrangement
| had been proposed to him. The excuse is entirely
Congress to relieve them from suspicion by expos
ing the corrupt ones. He cannot be the keeper o
the confidence of the criminals without becoming
slarer to some extent, in their crime Simontor
has been for week in the close custody of the Ser
geant at Arms where he will remain until the com
mittce has again propounded to him the questions
he declined to If he still refuses, the facts
will be transmitted to the District Attorney whos
duty it will be bring them the attention of tn,
Grand Jury, that bill of indictment may be dull,
presented The punishment is not less than ont
month nor more than years Imprisonment, and
fine from one hundred TO thousand dollars.
Governor johnson, of Tennessee, by the direction
of the Legislature of that State, has rendered t.
Congress, through the President five hundred acre
of the Hermitage, forming part of the residence o
Gen Jackson provided il be used for mlfitar.
academy similar to that at West Point The do
nation is a magnificent one and should be accepted
if another academy is established by the govern
mcnt II is not probable, however, that any acton
will be taken by Congress during its present session
Indeed, the opinion prevails that West Point grad
yates more than enough officers for the small arm
it is policy to maintain. An additional numbe
of officers would require increase in the rank ant
file of the army to secure them employment.
Mr. Buchanan arrived! in Washington on Tuesda
last, quietly that it was not known Throughout
the City until after he had reached his lodgings a
the National Hotel. He to gather the view
of all parties in arranging his cabinet. Up to til!
time nothing is known to his determination, ri
NOR being, in :hiS case, nothing more than rulnol
He will remain another week, aid then deliberatel
select the men who are to form his official family fc
the next four years. MECKLENBURG.
Later from Harnna and Nicaragua.
New ORLEANS, Jan. 3O.-The steamship Empir
CITY arrived to. day from New York via Havana