Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-06-27
BY SATURDAY EVENINGS NAILS

BY SATURDAY EVENINGS NAILS.
SrIr.-Some time last summer the brokers
and the Stanton banks had an angry contro-
,ersy over the legal obligations imposed on
the banks to redeem all drafts and checks in
gold and silver. The Richmond broker pre-
sented for payment five drafts upon the Cen
trail Bank AT StauntOn, four Of which were
drawn payable in current funds" and the
fifth without any limitation as to the manner
Of payment. The Bank offered to pay the
d, ats III current. bankable funds, but the
broker being unwilling to receive anything
but gold and silver, had the drafts duly
protested, and suits were instituted thereon.
The plaintiff was represented by William II.
Mcfarland, Of Richmond, and the Bank by
Mr. H. W. Shelley, Of the Staunton Bar,
both of whom delivered long and very able
arguments before Judge Thompson on We'd
nssday last. The court held that the Bank
was at liberty to pay the four notes in cur
rent funds, but that the fifth should have
been paid in gold or silver. The drawer and
the Bank had right to make a contract as
t. the funds in which his drafts should be
paid and the drawee of the drafts took them
subject to that contract, it the fact so appear
"a ia the note, as was the case with the four
notes whose payments were expressly provi-
ded for in current funds" But as the fifth
draft did not provide that it should be paid
IA "current funds the Court held that the
banking laws of the State required that it
should be paid III the legal tender, gold and
silver. The case will be taken to the Court
oi Appeals, where the question will be finally
settled - Charlottesville 4dcocdte.
TuE TORNADO IN GLoCCESTER.-A gentle
man from Gloucester tells us that the tornado
which passed over that county on Friday last,
passed over 10 Mathews, committing UNI
heard Of depredations all along its track
He asu says that old Oliver, the ierryman
between York aud Gloucester Point, was not
drowned but PERSONS at York saw him taken
up hy the wind aud carried ID. Two negroes
who were i'll shed, the roof of which was
blown of. heard the wailng Of old Oliver as
he was borne through the air upon the wings
of the storm king" His cries aud groans
say our informants, IA he was dashed
through the air, were truly distressing. His
appeals for assistance were without avail, for
no human power could rescue him from death
and in few moments he was beyond hear
ing, nor has his body been seen since that
terrible evening"
In the course of the tornado more than
twenty houses were either destroyed ~ ma
terially damaged. seventeen of which were
dwellings, Among them was that beauti
tul residence Of Mr.. Tabh, known AS Todbu
ry's.-Richmomd Di%patch.
A NARROW EScAPE.-A Richmond Bro
ker was very near losing large package OF
money as he came down on the Thursday
mornings mail train Some how or other IN
the train was passing MIR. William Garth's
plantation. at high speed. the Broker accl-
dentally dropped from the train package
containing about $1,000. The train was i'm
mediately put back and fortunately the
package WAS picked up safe and sound
three or tour hundred yards back on the track.
Had not the money been recovered the Broker
would have been doubly unfortunate in
his run upon Staunton." as he was the
one, we believe, against whom the Judge OF
the Augusta Court, decided the several
causes of which We have made mention else
where i'll today's paper. Charlottesville Id
rOcdtr.
EFFECTS OF FRosT- Reliable reports from
the Western end of the Central Road inform
us that the injury by the frost of the 9th inst
is much greater than was anticipated. The
whole wheat crop of Monroe was cut short at
least one half; and in Greenbrier it is seri-
ously npprehended that they will not harvest
a sufficient quantity for seed next fall. The
corn was cut TO the ground, but has put out
IL. all Ina a.
I'm the section of the State to which we have
referred, the stock Of provisions has been so
reduced by the short crops OF the last year
and the preceding, that great suffering exists
among the poorer classes. and Tears are en-
tertained that much greater suffering Will he
felt next winter and spring. Ha'1otteset'fe
Advocate.
The Oath of October next is the time liked
upon for theopening of the Agricultural FAIR.
at the new fair grounds west of Richmond;
and from all that we can gather, there seems
to be little or no doubt that the State and
Central Societies will hold their fairs con
Jointly. Negotiations have been going on
between the two Directories for some time,
with view to bring about union exhibit
ton.
Tho Wings of Petersburg wish to unite
with the Wings of Richmond, in presenting
Mr.. Goggin with some suitable testimonial
of their respect and regard for him. The
Wings all through the State would be glad
to be participants i'll the intended compll-
ment to their gallant leader during the late
contest.
On account of the illness of a near relative OF
Mr.. John II. Stephens, of Georgia, final Ora
tor of the Columbian Literary Society OF the
University of Virginia, he was suddenly call
ed home and finds it impossible for him to re,
turn TO the University. In consequence OF
which the above named society will have no
public celebration.
The Blue Ridge Republican says;-"lhe
trial of Adam, a slave of MIR. VIM. b. Ross,
charged with being engaged in setting hire to
Mr.. Shackelford's house, came Oh at the term
of the Court last week, and he was acquitted