davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26
Eauuuier County Items.

In obedience t. an order from the Govern
or, received on Saturday last, the Colonel of
the S5th Regiment Of Va. Militia notified
Capt. SCOTS Cavalry Company, belonging
thereto, that they must get ready and pro-
coed ut the earliest moment to the infested
neghhorhoods in the counties Of Clarke and
jefferson About thirty Of them according
" did 60 with commendable promptness. and
left Warrenron on Sunday morning. between
III aud II o'clock, well armed and accou-
tired Several private citizens volunteered
their services and joined the Company for
the time being. Col. Scruggs accompanied
them. They were joined ut Salem by the
Cavalry Company Of the 4ith Regiment, who
had received a similar order.
When the exciting news which reached
here on Friday morning last. was xceived
at Culpeper {. H.. between 80 and ~ Of the
citizens Of that place (among them our neigh
Dor oi the Ob,erverl got ready and started
Oft ON the down train Tor Charlestown. intend
ing to provide themselves with arms when
they reached Washington. In the crowd
was an old negro, named Bawley, the proper
" of DR.. A>hby. OF Culpeper Z. III. His
master having given him full liberty to do 50,
he volunteered and went along and 80 bent
was he ON having shot ut the id aboli
tinnlsts," as he called them, that he kept on
to Charlestown, aud we are informed is there
now, watching for the first opportunity that
may present itself.
Another Company is forming in this place.
to be called the "Homs Guard" When We
last saw the list, there were on it twenty
eight names Of some of the most solid men OF
Warrenton and vicinity.
Ofthe suspicious Letters remaining in the
'Warrenton Springs" Pvst-otice. those from
Northern Post Offices we're examined ON Sat
urday last. by j. NJ. Forbes and Isham
Keith. esqs., of this county, and DIR. Scott. Of
Culpeper. but were found to contain nothing
OF an incendiary nature.
The Phillips and Ilughlstt cases are not
to be tried this week. Our Court does not
commence until next Monday b. II. Shack
eltord, esq, is also employed by iiughlett
Richards Payne, Vim. p. Ficklin. J. Black
we'll Smith, lshum Keith, and JAS. ). Th"mp
son, esqs., are the Justices who constitute
that Court.
All sorts Of reports are now daily put out
in this portion Of Virginia. for no other pur-
pose. it would seem. but To keep the public
mind in state of excitement. For instance
it WAS rumored in Prince William on Mon
day, that the town of Warrenton was in ash
es Our Prince William friends need not be-
alarmed; the town Of Warrenton still exists.
and is too well guarded to be laid in runs by
abolition incendlaries so easily - WutIento"
EY1y
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26
From Washington.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23.-Our minister to
Spain Mr. Preston, is expected home by the
next steamer The President has given him
leave Of absence for six months.
There is such information in Washington
as warrants IL belief that all the differences
between the United States and Great Britain
growing out Of the Clayton Bulwer treaty will
he adjusted through the agency Of Mr.. Wyke,
the English minister 10 Central America
A part Of the arrangement was the recent
settlement Of the boundary of British Hon
duras.
Thomas F. Meagher to-day brought dis
patches to the State Department from the
minister to Costa Rica, Mr.. Dimitry, who
it appears, has made a favorable impression
on the government Of that Republic.
The President did not receive visitors to-
day, being engaged in the preparation Of his
annual message, which he expects to finish
during the present week.
Some fifteen hundred cases are now pen
ding in the United States Court of Claims,
but thirteen only are ready for trial
Judge Douglas is still confued to his
room, but is gradually recovering his health.
Daniel b. Martin has resigned his com
mission rs chief engineer in the navy.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26
FURNITURE DRY GOODS.

MEMBERS Of CONGRESS and other; "t'
wi intend furnishing their own garment i'
th. session are informed that they Will ind VI ""'
ware rpoms No. I, Market space, second store
east OF 9Th It, full and complies as,"rtnrni ~
Velvet, BrusseI- Tapestry, Three ply i""'I'
Ingrain Wool Dutch, NenItian, and ether 'hfi'e''
ings at very low prices.
Also, Floor Oilcloths in all widths, from three
feet to eighteen feet wide, which cut np s' p''
lila gram, to BIT any sized room, hall, "r In...t"
worry cheap.
Also all kinds Of Curtain material, for dra"ins
rooms parlor., cha nbers dining rooms, lbtai.'''
&C., with all the necessary fixtures I" c"mf''
them.
Also, u complete assortment u Table tui i.l...
Furniture Linens and Cotton,. such a Dan''a
Table Cloths, IN all sizes from IL BY ~ y 'i'
lU.4 by -. 8, down To 81 by 81.
Heavy Silica plain Damasks, Russia, He"l".'
and Irish Linen Sheetings, and All the best "'n''
in cotton do, Napkins, Doilles. Overlap.
Towels, Wine Cloths aud DoilIes, matching
Plane and Table Covers. Rugs, Mat, DrusssH'
and all other FURNITURE DRY Gooia N'
cesssry for the comfort aud convenience ~ h"..
keepers. which will be- sold al figures lover ."'"
can possibly be had elsewhere.
II will be found great convenience I" "hi''-
every item required AT our store
Those in want Of such goods will hui y L. '.,''
advantage to call and look through our h"'" '
fore making their purchases.
Our stock Of Blankets, Comforts, Quil.' 49,
other bedding is unusually complete.
CLAGETT & D"pS"@
-. H..
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26
The Excitement in Clarke County.

About | o'clock last Friday night. tho
Alexnndria Artillery, numbering some III
men, with two pieces Of cannon, under CON
mand Of Maj Dutity, arrived III this place,
via Manassas Gap Railroad and Winchester.
Immediately upon the arrival. part of them.
accompanied by u number OF our citizens.
set ont for reported "ercampment' OF in
surgents, ~ well rs for the purpose Of Il
general search throughout the County "i
Clarke. In the morning. the remainder ol
them, accompanied 10y II number Of the
Clarke Guards, started out to join those who
had gone before. They all returned about
dark, without finding anything suspicious,
or arrestiug any one. They searched sev".
raj houses among them the unoccupled
tenement of the notorious John {. Under
wood but found nothing worthy of conslde-
ration. [ pom application for entrance mt"
the house of Il known ahnlitionist, the wife
Of the man living there her husband being
absent) seized an axe and defed their en-
trance They finally wrested the weapon
from her grasp, but not without first giving
her n hayunet wound on the arm. Thus
ended the excitement for the day; ami Il
messenger having arrived from Charesrown
in the evening bearing orders Tor the Artll-
lery to repair to that place ~ soon ~ p"Ssi-
bic, they lett here nj = late hour "n Saturday
night for that point Ciarkr Ca. ConEer.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26
SI.U56,I7J IA

As connected with thi ; estimate ol cost, it
is of significant interest tonote the following
fact:
A belt of country four maes in width on
each side of the proposed road, contains Tor
each running mile 5l2O acres, accommodated
by the road mr,ioiiar per acre Of this area,
will he sufficient tu do the work Of grading
and bridging, and t~o doitars per acre wall
buy the rails. lay the track, and furnish the
quipment-tlat is TO say, 81 per acre LEVIED
on each acre accommodated by the road, will
pay for building and equipment complete for
use have the honor to be. very rrspecty.,
J. X. TRINBLE, Chief Engineer.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26
C"NNrNr,ns.
Characteristics OF old Virgin,


| make the following extract ,r,r ".
Ryes's life and times Of Madison. p,,...
Nothing perhaps is better fitted +, -.
an idea OF the social temperament ami
bits Of the Irglniuns 81 the middle :, ;,
last century. and t. establish. II iartta,
dence We're wanted, the geuulaeu,>, -, -
Cavalier descent, than the following ,s,,.,
programme, taken from the virginia ,.,,.,,.
of October. l731:
I'VE have advice" saws the editor "f.
Hanover County. that On 81. Andrew. Il
there are TO be Horse faces. and say..
other diversions Tor the entertainment, :,
the gentlemen and ladies nj the Oh IA,
near Captain John Bickerton'S, in thar,
~, (t permitted By the Hon. Vim Re-,
esq. proprietor OF the said land m. -,
stance OF which is rs follows. ,.l.
1T is proposed that ~ horses or mae.
do run round q three mile course Tor AZ,
OF five pounds-That every horse ,h, /,
entered with Mr.. Joseph Fox. AMI tina, =.
person be allowed 10 put up horse up.,.
he hath subscribed for the eutertaup..,
and paid half Pistole.
THAT a hat Of the vauenf ans h. ,ot
gelled for and that after tho first chaII.,
made, the drums are 10 beat every ou.r,,,
OF m hour for three challenges round n.
ring, and none IA play with their lrit hand
That violin be played for by ,wrnr
iddlers; no person 10 have the liberty +,
playing unless he bring fiddle with linn
After the prize ~ won, Mey drf MI 10 Mn,
toyefler, api each different hor. uni t. l.
treated by the company
THAT twelve boys OF IL wears Of ape 4.
run II yards, for hat Of the cost 4 /.
shlhngs.
THAT flag be flying on said day thirty
feet high
THAT handsome entertainment he mr.,
vided for the subscribers and their w,..
and such OF them rs are not - happy a, 4,
have wives, may treat any other lady.
That Drums, Trumpets, lloutIoys, 4,
be- provided. 10 play at sand entertainment
That after dinner, the Royal Health M,
Honor the Governor. &c.. are u be drunk
THAT quire Of Ballads be sung for hy
number of Son2sters, all Of them IL have
liquor sufficient 10 clear their wnipipes
THAT pair OF Silver Buckles be VIE.
tied for by u number Of BRISK young men
THAT n pair OF handsome Shoes tie dan.
ced for.
That pair of handsome Six Stockiu,
Of one Pistole value. be gwen 10 the Iaul
soonest young country maid that appear, IA
the field. With many other whimsical AMI
comical diversions too numerous u mention
And as this mirth is designed 10 b. rure
ly innocent and void Of offence, all person,
resorting there are desired to behave thear.
selves with decency and ~ubriety; the sub
scribers being resolved L. i,srountenante Al
immortality with the utmost yigor.'
Why could not some OF the most innocent
of the diversions that | have been At III.
pains 10 trsnscribe for YOU, be revived for tho
benefit of the visitors 10 the Agricultural
Fair you propose 10 hold IN y"cr city.
TRANSPORTER
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26
Popular Elections formerly In Virginia.

In order to show how wide have been our
latter departures from the precedents be-
queathed to US By the fathers of the Repub-
he, we cannot deny ourselves the gratiiica-
ton Of bringing 10 the notice and thought
ful consideration of our readers the sub
joined Just reflections from the pen of the
Hon. William Z. Rives, As called. III his re-
Gently published volume on the Life and
Times Of Madison" to review the theory
and plan Of government established by the
patriots of the Revolutionary era i'll Nlr-
ginla :-Ndt. Int
"In looking back 10 the Virginia Cunsttu-
ton of 1910, with all the lights which the
intermediate experience OF eighty years has
shed on the science Of popular government,
we cannot but be struck with the reach OF
practical wisdom and sagaclous statesman
ship exhibited III its construction. 1t Was 4
system which, while resting on the general
principle Of the sovereignty of the people
and equal rights. was 50 organized as u
combine Justice and moderation with power,
and to erect barriers against every species Of
arbitrary authority, whether Of one, the few,
or the many
while every department of the Govern
meut was derived, directly or indirectly,
from a popular origin, the ri ght Of suffrage
was exercised by those who, by fixed OWL
ership however small, III the soil OF the
country, were attached by "A permanent
common interest 10 the society whose destI-
MES they controlled. Nor was this great
and naturally virtuous bod y Of electors-the
middle classes of society removed alike from
the temptations OF riches or poverty-called
upon to fill. by their own Immediate choice,
al the various grades OF public maSlstracy.
After the election ot their representatives IN
the Legislative Department, upon which
muimly devolved the guardianship of the
public interests, it was Thought that the
choice OF most of the other public function
aries, whether local or general, might safely
aud wisely, and greatly To the relief Of the
people themselves, be left to intermediate
agencies, created by their will and possessing
their confidence.
ale is no true friend Of popular govern
ment or popular liberty, who Is for calling
the sovereign power Of the people into action
for every occasion, whether great Or small,
and thus disturbing that calm, deliberate,
and impartial revision, ut stated times, "t
the conduct of public servants, which is the
highest and most essential attribute of pop
uar sovereignty, ~ it is the best preserva-
tive of freedom The necessary consequence
OF 50 frequent and teasing recurrence To
the popular suffrage is Ia weary aud disgust
the people with its exercise, and To enslavr
them to the habtual guidance Of party len
ders and managers. who cover, and hardly
cover. their own Interested aud selfish ends,
under pretence of public zeal.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26
A Remarkably Brave Boy.

4 brave boy. VIII" was lett alone III charge
Of "A dentists office and lodgings III Ne" Or
leans. recently, was awakened IN the night
by the entrance Of n burglar. With ry"lidS
opcned merely to Il line, he saw him step Ia
the side Of the bed, look through the mos
,uitu bar, and bend his head down to listen
ii the occupant betrayed signs at being
awake. Satisfied with the scrutiny, III"
burglar took "A piece Of candle from his vest
pocket aud lighted it with match lie
then raised tine mosquito bar and pni htN
head under, holding the light III one hand
and "A bowie knife in the other, the blade "
ing against the iorepart ui ms arm. me
lii presers ell an appearance ~ II he slept
and. fully satisfied with the last sXainlha-
tion, the burglar stealthily and slowly pass
"a into the apartment adjoining. The boy
got quietly ont Of bed and made across the
room which the tibet had Just left, Ia drawer
where were two pistols. The noise made IN
obtaining them was heard 10y the burglar,
who rushed back and made at the boy with
knife uplilted aud his left hand at - pist"!
which he had by his side. The little fellow
was equal 10 the emergency. Tor he stool
firm, holdings pistol IN each hand, presented
at the thief The burglar did not dare to al
vance, but reiterated slowly. followed by the
lad with pistols extended: lie had succeed
ed in cooking one Of the Derngers on y, but
hesitate, 10 fire lest he mig ht mss. As the
burglar went, he fell over chair, but before
the boy could decide upon shooting, was On
his pins again, making out into the court
and climbing up the ladder. Then the boy
tried what the Deringer could do. and fired
as he was trying To get On the wall Ii"
bail unfortunately missed. and the thiei IS
capped, says the Delta.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26

CONTESTED SEATS IL rue l.. $. HORSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES The next House nl hep
rcsentatiycs will have 4 number OF cases 81
contested elections TO decide upon. Among
the New York delegation, the seat 81 DANIEL
h. Sickles, democrat, from the third district,
will be contested by Amor }. williamson,
American; that Of William Il Maclay, dem
ocrat, from the fifth district, will be contest.
ed by Philip Hamilton, republican, and the
seat Of John b. lraskin, anti Lec"mpt"n
democrat. from the ninth district, will he
claimed by Guuverneur kemble, regular
democrat. The right Of VIM. {. Anderson.
opposition, to represent the fourth district "i
Kentucky will be contested by james Christ
man, democrat. I. b. Florence, democrat,
holds the certificate of election from the hrSt
district Of Pennsylvania, hut his right VIII
be disputed by John W. Ryan, republican.
j. r. Barrett received Il majority OF the votes,
and was declared elected, i'll the first 81.
Louis district Of Missouri, but fraud Is
charged, and Francis 7. Blair, .Ir., republi-
can, his opponent in the contest, VIII contest
his right 20 the seat in consequence. Ezra
B. French, republican,, the representative OF
the third district Of Maine. will also have To
make good his claims against the charges oi
Alfred w. Johnson, democrat. An effort
will probably he made u vltlate the baIt.
more election: and. n usual, the seats OF al
most all the territorial delegates will be con
tested.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26
Charles County. Md.

The Agricultural Exhibition, which was
held il Port Tobacco. Md, last week, was
very numrroasly attended.
Our townsuail. Drayton G.. Meade, re-
ccised Il premium for tho best three horse
plough exhibited.
The Address delivered by Col. John ).
Srllman, of Anne Arundel county, was an
able and eloquent production, occupying
about an hour and II half in it, delivery, and
throughout was listened to with profound
attention and respect
The newly elected Clerk ni the Circuit
Court, g. W Grain, esq, has received his
commission from the Governor and entered
upon his duties. Mr. Wheeler, the Sheriff
elect, has also received his commission. and
those for other officers are now IN the Clerks
Office.
barring our late Exhibition there were
number of those characters present who
usually 90 about 10 pick up the small
change on such occasions, which they fire.
quently do by imposing upon the ignorant
aud rrcdulnus. Among these characters
was troupe Of MINISTRIES, calling themselves
"Leonurd's Opera Troupe" This company,
after giving two or three concerts, hired We
hcle and at midnight left the village with
out paying any OF the bills which they had
contracted while here. 81 stealthy was their
movements, that their landlord did not even
suspect their intentions.
On the night tins party left, the store Of
Mr. p u. Tubman was entered and robbed
of about ) 40 IN cash and several articles Of
clothing. Who committed this robbery we
do not know, and only state circumstances
~ they occurred Part IobQrco Times
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26
The Dead Houses Of Europe.

A correspondent Of the Troy Arena says:
"In Frankfnrt-on-the. Main and in Munich
are dead houses to which bodies are sent
previous to burial, where they are kept for
some two or three days, for the purpose 10
ascertain whether lie has become extinct or
not. On the fingers Of the corpses are placed
thimbles which are attached Ia a cord COM
municating with bell. The slightest move
ment of finger rings the bell, and thus, IN
cases of suspended animation, efforts are
made to restore the body. In Munich it Is
compulsory on the friends and relatives of
all, whether rich or poor, 10 send the body to
the dead-house and allow it to remain GER
tain number Of days. In Frankfort, | think
it is not compulsory, but it's nevertheless a
custom very generally followed"
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26
Wreck of the European Steamer Indian.

PORTLAND, Nov. 23.--The European steam.
or Indian, lately wrecked at Guysborn',
parted in two, amidships Two Of her boats
are missing and three Of her crew lost. 1t
was thought that some Of her cabin articles
might be saved The agent OF the Associa-
ted Press at Halifax telegraphs that further
news may be expected hourly from the wreck.
The locality is difficult to hear from. Notl-
ins has vet been heard Of the whereabouts OF
the passengers and crew of the unfortunate
steamer
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26

How TO AcoUIRI fIooR or STYLE.-A rev.
erend critic told literary friend that his styl lie
wanted that vigor which might be acquired
by running the pen through every other word.
The editor Of the Christian Inquirer recently
expressed the same thought in this fcrm-
We do not remember reading book, sermon,
or psem for ten years. that would not have
been materially improved by cutting out half
the nouns, three-quarters OF the sdjectises,
aud ell the advsrbs.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26
BaItimors and Potomac Rail Road.

A meeting of the President and Directors
Of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad was
hid in Port Tobacco on Friday, the 18th Of
November, 1859. Present: JOHN ). SELL
MAN, President; WV. d. BOWIE, WALTER
MITCHELL and john W. JENKINS, Directors.
The meeting being called to order, Mayor
TRIMBLE, the Chief Engineer of the Road
presented Ia the Board Report Of the esti-
mated cost ol equipment Tor the 20 miles OF
road, together with an estimate Tor grading
and bridging. On motion, the report and
estimates were ordered 10 be published.
JuuS w. JENKINS, Sec'y.
REroRT.
PoRr TOBACCO, Nov. Is, 1859.
r. the President and Directors Of tie Bulti-
mare aad Potomac Rail Rodd Compumy
GExTLYMEx.-lp present to you an Estimate
ia cdSh OF the cost OF the Baltimore and Poto-
mae Rail Road from the PatapSco River u
the Potomac, ut the mouth of PUpe's Greek
a distance OF GSi miles.
The Estimate for Grading and Bridging Is
based upon the quantity OF work to he done,
as ascertaned by the location recently made
between those points, and may be relied upon
as sufficient to complete the road-bed ready
for the rails. The estimate for the rails,
crossties and track laying, Ms well as for the
equipment necessary 10 work the road, may
also be relied upon AZ ample-it being IN
derstood that the work OF all kinds, estIma-
ted to be paid for ut cash prices.
Grading, Bridging, &c..Segi.I1j Il
bridge Abutments and
Masonry, and extra
work and contingent
cas 100000 90
S39I,I75 IA
Supcrstructurc Of Rails, &C., 7UmIl,s
at ST. .,uo per mile.................. $4,000 90
Equipment, 20 miles at s3,oOu per
mile. 2lOoOO 90
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26

The Petersburg Press defends Senator
Douglas from some of the charges made
against him by Southern Democratic pol'ti-
clans. thinks he IS the only Democrat who
can carry more than one Northern State,
and saws if he is nominated for President
by the Charleston Convention, it will sup
mort him
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26
Organization OF the House of Represen tativss.

The organization Of the House OF Repre-
sentatiyes is subject of universal and IN
creasing interest The Legislation of the
session and the Presidential question are To
he much influenced by it. The republicans
will, therefore, make desperate effort to Sc
cure the election Of their caucus candidates.
There can be no doubt, though Mr. CorwIn
is willing TO accept the speakershIp, Mr.
Sherman, OF Ohio, is To he the republican
choice. The republicans consider the clerk
ship as highly important to the proper move
ment"i the party machinery. MIR. Under
wood, of Nv, is Ia be the Caucus candidate.
The demncruts it il understood, will nom
mate candidates Tor speaker, clerk, &c. The
three most promi ncnt democratic candidates
for the speakership are Mr.. Bocock, of Va. Mr.
Pie lps, OF Missouri, and Mr. John Cochranc,
of New York. FDr clerk, the present able
clerk will be re-numnatcd. y number OF
other names are mentioned i'll connection
with the speakership and clrrkslllp, 1t being
possible, il not probable, that 10 caucus
candidates can be chosen by a majority vote
Among the most prominent oil those who
will be brought forward in ease Of hitch IN
caucus nominations, S that OF the Hon. Luke
Lea, ul Tennessee - Correspondent 81 B"it-
more Sun.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-26

A very pio"s letter from John Brown the
conspirator, to one OF his Northern friends,
is published in the New York Independent.
1t is full of the most devotional spirit" If
he ever wrote it, which we doubt, he is a
great hypocrite a. well as great villain.