Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-28
News from Washington.

News from Washington.
WASHINGTON, Oct o6-The Medical So
cetv of this city have approved bill to be
laid before Congress for putting the lniirma-
~ here under the control of directors COM
posed mainly Of government officials, 50 Is
to make it general hospital, at which all
physicians may practice upon an equality.
Edward SemmeS, esq. OF this city, has
given a farm i'll the vicinity, to the Catholic
Orphan ASYLUM. where ! home is to be es-
tahlished for children.
A board of Naval Engineers is to assem-
bic within two months, to examine into the
qualifications of persons who may apply to
be appointed third assistant engineers IN the
Navy.
The instructions to our commanders in the
Gulf concerning iillibusters, Is to seize them
upon the high seas, or i'll our own ports, ana
not to take them from land within foreign
Jurisdiction, nor from harbor SO situated.
The Postmaster General contemplates re-
moving the post-otice stamp agency from
Philadelphia to Washington. First Comp
troller Medill has received from Gov. Weller,
of California, a thousand dollar draft for de-
livery to the Treasurer of the Washington
Monument Association, it being the first OF
the yearly contributions OF that amount ten
dered by the State of California.
1t is said that Mr.. Corcoran has set aside
his splendid square, on Fourteenth street, for
the purpose Of erecting upon 1t an aged
Widows Home.
Attorney General Black has requested the
United States district attorney of Maine, to
furnish u full statement of the facts attend
ing the case Of Capt. Holmes, in whose be-
half an effort is now made to effect 4 commu-
tation of the sentence of death for the muir
der of sailor Oh the high seas.
A large number of the clergymen who at
tended the late Episcopal Convention at Rich
mond, paid their respects to President Buch-
anan to-day.
The propriety of placing stronger guards
at the several arsenals and armories, has been
suggested in various quarters, but it is not
probable any such action will be taken by
the War Department.
The protection demanded through Com
mander Porter, of Sonora, is such rs Amerl-
can citizens are entitled to by virtue of the
treaty between the United States and Next
co. but is not intended to cover the sur
yeying operations Of Capt. Stone and party.
These were in the employment of Mexican
who had made the contract with Ex-Presl-
dent Comonfort. Sonora resists the interior
ence of the federal government with Its lands
of that State, and hence the stoppage by So
nora of the survey.
There is much activity in the several de-
partments Just now, consequent on the pre-
paration of the statements to accompany the
annual reports.
A larger number Of members of Congress
than heretofore, have already made arrange
ments to have their families with them dur
ing the next session.
REPLY OF SENATOR DOUGLAS To ATTORNEY
GENERAL BLAck.-The Washington cores
dent of the New York Times, telegraphs to
that paper u synopsis of what it calls the
"crushins reply of Senator Douglas t" Attor-
nev General Black" which is to be publish
ed to-day. Our limits preclude any but
brief summary of the points he makes:
First. The Senator says that he has not
spoken one word in disparagement OF the SUI
preme Court, but has made more speeches III
defence of the bred Scott decision than any
man living.
Second. lie denies having said or thought
that our Territories were sovereign, or liml-
ted suyereignties, but repeats that the peo-
ple of territory have all the rights and i'm
munities of self.goyernmcnt in respect 10
their internal policy, subject only to the
Constitution Of the United States. This
seems to us distinction clearly without a
difference.
Third. lie takes the position that the
Attorney General declines fair inquiry. lest
it disturb the repose of those who hold that
the Territories have no attribute OF sovereign
ty about them.
Fourth. All legislative power appertalns
to sovereignty, and by the terms Of the Kan
sas- Nebraska act. the Legislative power OF
territory extends to all righttu subjects
of legislation consistent with the Constlsu-
ton.
Fifth. Slavery as q grant OF legislative
power, is cuntenied for by the Senator.
Sixth. That it is an exercise of sovereign
power in Territory which deprives citizen
Of his property, and loads his limbs with
chains for violating Territorial law.
SpFeUtU. |ONtl VI ldAuliOh 10 bioo uh -
cident of the sovereignty exercised by all the
Territories.
Eighth The power of creating corpora.
tons is constantly exercised by the Terri
tories.
Ninth. The Attorney General must deny
all legislative power to the Territories, or ad-
nit that they have sovereign power over all
rightful subjects of legislation.
Tenth. Slavery is shown TO be u local and
not Federal institution.
Eleventh. Does Slavery exist in the Terri
tories by virtue Of the Constitution, On this
point we are only informed that the Attor-
ney-General is handled without gloves.
Twelfth. Senator Douglas denies that he
is taking any steps to secure the Charleston
nomination, and says that he is in favor of
conducting the great struggle in 1860. on the
Cincinnati platform, without the addition of
a word or the subtraction Of letter.
ORR BRowSs ANrEoEpENT>. The most
authentic statement which has yet appeared
Of Browns antecedents, and his purpose in
gning to Kansas-at least, the one emana-
ting from his most devoted friend who has
the information at commands that writ
ten for the Boston Atlas. by James Redpath,
L,ns,a ono &c Rrnwn'. rnal-