Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-26
News OF tho Day.
{ 7oshop the rery age and body Of the TINE

A joint resolution will shortly be intro
doced in Congress, extending the time Tor e1-
aiming into the cases of various naval ON
GERS affected by the action of the retiring
board, with a view tn future action thereon
by the executive. None have yet been e1-
amined for want of time.
The Washington correspondent OF the
Baltimore Sun says:-"Our new marshai'
COL Selden, last evening, at his residence
received information of contemplated duel
between two gentlemen, one from Virginia.
arranged for this morning, in Maryland
Col. S instantly started with determine
ton to arrest the belligerent proceedings, OBJ
tanned the services of his deputy, Mr.. Phil
lips, and other officers, and after nearly
whole nights Reconnaissance, succeeded IN
placing one Of the parties under security 70
keep the peace. The other is expected to be
here this evening. One of the parties Is un-
derstood to have been nephew Of Gov Wise'
and the other brother OF Col. Peter w.
Washington.
The Fredericksburg Recorder remarks
that even under the most liberal calculations
for expense there can be no doubt that the
public printers of the United States Govern
ment receive the most unheard OF and enor-
nous profits. The Recorder quotes ta'u-
lar statement of the Washington States, In
regard to the cost of tue public printing Tor
single session OF Congress, which plainly
indicates the great abuses which are perpe-
trated in this branch Of the Government ex
penditure.
The Convention of the Methodists Of that
portion of the Danville district lying 10 the
State of Virginia, for the purpose oil con-
sidering the question of the transfer OF the
Virginia portion of said district to the Flr-
einia Conference, was held at the Methodist
Church. 10 Danville, on the l4th inst. The
vote was almost unanimous 10 favor OF max
ing application to the next General Confer
ence for the transfer from the North Carolina
to the Virginia Conference. Previous to this
Convention, the membe of tho Methodist
Church in Danvlle, had voted upon the
transfer, and decided in favor of it, by q
very large majority.
The Culpeper Observer says ;-"Messrs'
j. w. George & George s. Smith bave pur-
chased the Waverly House, in that place.
aud will open the next session of the Culpe-
per Female Institute there on the LIST OF Sep
tember next. The School will be under the
management of the same principals and ln-
structors, whilst Mr. Smith will have charge
of the Boarding department, for which be 10
we'll qualified. With these arrangements we
think this school will take q high stand
! a,,on, ohnl tio inofttufinDa
A child of Mr.. Jerod, four years OF age,
living on the Western Branch, in Norfolk
county, was poisoned some days since by
sucking the flower of the yellow jessamine.
The little one died in an hour after 1t com
planned of being sick The parents would
not have known the cause OF the sudden
death of their child but for playmate, who
said it had been sucking the flower, which
is deadly poison.
The ninth annual report of the Mutual
Fire Insurance Company of LoudOun, shows
the amount of property now insured BY
that company, to be $l,064,02 rs; the
amount of premium notes now 10 force $50,
94l.76. Assets of the company SlO,7H o4
Cash paid for losses during the past year
1856. This company is we'll managed and
promptly pays up all losses it sustains.
Benton's Thirty Years View is said to
have already attained the sale of seventy
thousand volumes The publishers (Messrs.
Appleton) are about to issue q new edition,
with copious analytical index, and an auto
biographical memoir of Col. Benton, written
within three months Of bis death. This
will much enhance the interest OF the work.
The Supreme Court of Missouri has rever-
sed the decision of the court below, In the
case Of James H. Birch against Col Benton.
The action in the lower court was for slander,
and a Judgment for $4,000 was rendered
against COL Benton. From this decision he
app led and was successful.
The National debt of Mexico figures up
one hundred and twenty nine millions, with
out the floating debt This would not be so
heavy load for eight millions of population
to bear, if they could only establish govern.
nent that would give some security ana
stability, and promote the industry OF the
nation.
The Pennsylvania Legislature adjourned
finally on Thursday. A Philadelphia paper
says it has been distinguished principally for
its liberality. 1t gave away the remainder
of the public works to private company,
passed nearly all the private bills which
came before it and allowed everybody to 60
into the grog selling business.
The Orange Chronicle says:-On Tuesday
night last our town was visited By thunder
storm. The clouds seemed to be filled with
electricity. The house belonging to MIR. +.
S. Fry, formerly used as an academy, was
struck by lightning the chimney OF which
was knocked down. No other damage, we
believe was done to the house.
The Warrenton Flag says:-"ReV. IT, H.
Norton has received q call to Columbus
Ohio. and is now on visit to that place.
We have not learned whether he will accept
or not, but presume, from the Apprehension,
express d by his congregation, that they will
retain him if it is possible for them to do So"
The Dauville Register says The Tobacco
plant beds in this vicinity are said to be set