The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-01-13
WASHINGTON ITEMS.

Representatives having charge OF the matter,
have resolved to report in favor dispensing with
desks. The great objection to this measure is,
that members will have nothing to place their
feet upon; and, unless a substitute is suggested,
similar to that used in the BARRIERS shops, the
proposed reform will not be likely to be adopted.
| DEATH OF GENERAL. ARCHIBALD HENDER-
sON.-The community was greatly shocked last
evening by the announcement of the sudden
death Of General Henderson. The deceased
had been walking about, apparently in his usu-
al health, during the morning. Returned from
long walk about four o'clock p. NJ, his usual
dinner hour, and feeling somewhat fatigued,
he seated himself on a sofa in a reclining pos
ture, with his head resting on an arm Of the
sofa. The servant, on ringing the dinner bell,
observed that he did not appear to notice it,
and went to rouse him. He was discovered to
be dead. Not feature of his face was changed,
and from the natural disposition of the limbs
it was apparent that death came without q strug
gle, and the good man and brave soldier had
passed to his final rest without suffering in any
respect the bitterness of death
The deceased was born in the year 1888, in
the town of Dumfries, Virginia, and entered the
service of this country in 1906, being then
twenty-three years of age. He was on board
corps, in the celebrated battle between that ship
and the Guerrero during the last war with
Great Britain.
He took an active part in the Creek cam
paign, ia the years 1867, having volunteered
to that service, an example which was followed
by every member of his staff In consequence
of his gallant services during that and other In
dian wars, he was made General by brevet on
the 4th of March, l843.
In the register at the .Adutant's Office, Ma
rine Barracks, we find the following entry:
Archibald Henderson, tommandant Briga-
der General by brevet, 4tk of March, 1913, to
take rank from January 27sh, 1887, for gallant
and meritorious services while in command of
the marines, in Alabama, Florida, and Tennes-
see, during the campaigns against the hostile In
dams. Star
INHUMAN REATMENT.-1hismorn Thorn
as f. Kirkland was arrested by officer Freeman
and taken before Justice Williams, of the north
ern police station, for nhuman and brutal treat
ment of a colored boy in hiss employment. II
appeared from the evidence that Kirkland had
very severely whipped and beaten the boy at an
early hour this morning, ard his cries caused
the complaint of neighbors, or passersby, and
Freeman went to the house about ten O'Clock
and made the arrest. The boy was tied hand
and foot, and with rope found his neck fast
ened to nails in the wall, a. ID had been there
since seven o'clock When Cut loose. he fell on
the floor and the Justice thought few minutes
longer would have ended hs life. Kirkland
also had white boy in his employ, named Pc
tiers, and when Freeman went to make the ar
rest, he said he overheard irkland tell Peters
to swear that he Peters, tied the colored boy
up, and Peters did so testify on the trial But
he afterwards said that Kirkland made him
do it.
Justice Williams committed Kirkland to Jail.
In order to secure Peters as a witness, he was
committed also. The colored boy is apparently
fifteen years of age; Peters about the same.
After Kirkland left, in custody of the officer.
several persons named witnesses who might
have been summoned. The previous reputation
of Kirkland as a respectable man, and the out
rageOus character of the case as detailed by the
witnesses, caused considerable excitement in
the vicinity Of the Justices office.-,StaT.
Mr.. Douglas returned to Washington Thurs
day last. A hundred or two Of his friends
and others met him at the Depot, and followed
him to his house, where he made a brief
speech. The rain, and the failure to procure a
band of music, conspred to spoil the intended
compliment to him. He was followed from
Baltimore by committee of sympathizing
friends at the head of which vas Reverdy John
son, an old line Wing of the Federal school,
who was the counsel employed against bred
Scott. According to the STR, several of the
Baltimore delegation were ofthe same political
antecedents.
The RECEPTIONS AT THE EXECUTIVE MAN
sIoN.-There was morning reception at the
Executive Mansion on Saturday last, common
cling at one O'clock TO be repeated every sue
ceeding Saturday during the season. The even
ing receptions commenced on Tuesday last at
eight o'clock, and will take place on each
alternate Tuesday.
INSTRUCTIONS RELATIVE ITO FHBUsTER-
ING.-It appears, from documents communica-
ted to Congress on Thursday in response to
resolution of the House, that correspondence
between the Secretary of the Treasury and the
Collector Of Mobile has been in progress since
the month of April last, relative to the Mica
raguan flibusters. These papers contain but
little Of interest, in addition to what is already
known The fact is apparent, that much was
left to the discretion of the Collector in the
matter of granting or Withholding licenses to
suspicious vessels; but wherG doubts existed
in his mind, they were removed by official in
structions in response TO the Collectors in
quiry as to what should be done with the re-
turned shipwrecked flibuster' the Secretary
telegraphed on the 4th instant that the princi-
pals should be presented, and desired the Col
lectOr to furnish him with Il ! of the names
of those who arrived IN the Br ish vessel.
The Secretary Of the Navy has also transmit
ted documents to the House, in answer to a
resolution calling for copies Of instructions
given to Commodore Mcintosh, in which that
officer was informed that citizens of the United
States have the right to expatTiate themselves,
and become citizens of any country willing to
receive them; but have no right to make that
a cloak for warlike expeditions. He was di
rected not to seize any vessel, or act on mere
suspicious while he is reminded that the Prcsi-
dent regards Commodore Paulding's seizure of
Walker and his followers as gross error He
is counselled not to interfere, on land or in any
harbor, for the purpose of arresting any iilibus
tering expeditions set on foot in the United
States, contrary to the acts of Congress; but, on
the other hand, to protect the persons and prop
erty of our citizens engaged in lawful business
against all illegal acts of violence or oppres
sion, to the full extent of his power.
Advices received from Bremen state that let
tiers from the United States going to the cont
nent Of Europe, with the exception of France
pay fifty per cent. less postage when sent direct
to Bremen, than Uia London.
VICE President BRECKINRIDGE on DEPARTED
STATEsMEN-The following is an extract of the
eloquent address of Vice President Breckin-
ridge, made on Tuesday week, on the occasion
of the departure of the Senators from the old to
the new chamber in the National Capitol: