The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-15

Both boards of the Washington City Coun-
Gil have passed joint resolution requesting
the committees of the corporation before the
u. s. Congress to ask that body to amend
the city charter so as to give the corporation
power to issue ST bills to the amount Of
100000. The city now has the authority
to issue notes of the denomination of IS and
upwards, and has out $50, 900 in FIVE dollar,
bills.
Gen. Benham's friends are highly indig.
nant at the publication of what purported to
be the order of Gen. Mcclellan for his re-
lease. They say that sentence was omitted
to the effect that Benham was ordered to re-
port himself at New York for active duty
This removes the stigma which thepurport-
ed order might seem to leave upon him.
The Georgetown iron bridge fell some
time ago. severely or fatally injuring per.
son, in whose behalf suit for damages was
brought in the Circuit Court. The court de-
cided against the plaintiff, which decision
the Supreme Court has now reversed, and
has directed an assessment of the amount of
damages. and the payment thereof.
Jenny Lind has given up her contempla-
ted series of concerts in England, owing to
ill health.
The U. S. steam frigate Pensacola arrived
at Fortress Monroe on Monday afternoon.
A general court martial for the Goth regi-
ment N. Y. artillery is being held near this
place. Several regiments of Gen. Summers
division are being paid off.
In the U. S. Senate, yesterday, M. Pow
ellis resolution, calling on the Secretary of
War for the names of all persons with whom
the Department had made contracts, with
information concerning the prices paid, the
nature and circumstances of the said con-
tracts, &c., &C., was taken up, and adopted
yeas IS, nays 3-the latter being Messrs.
Browning, Cowan and Harris.
The new tea plants are now in bloom in
the Conservatory at Washington, they bear
a white flower and fill the air with de-
lightful perfume.
A letter from Munich says 1.-THE work
on the grand gateway of the Capitol of
Washington is on the point of being term-
mated in the royal foundry, and in about
will be publicly exhibited in one
of the large rooms of the establishment 1t
is q work of the grandest style, and the
basso-relievo representing the principal
scenes in the War Of Independe &c excite
great admiration"
Arrangements are being made by the
various railroad companies for the running
Of daily express train between Washing
ton and New York, and New York and
Washington, (for passengers only,) through
in eight hours and making no stoppages be-
tween the two cities.
Lieut.. Col. James Kearney, of the corps
Of typographical engineers, who has resided
for several years past in Georgetown. died
in that city on Friday last, at the advanced
age OF 78years. .,,,.5 Is,
Hundred of applications are made to the
U. s. Commissioner of Patents for cotton
seed. s..
A nephew of Gen. Polk has been arrested
by scouting party. He had dispatches to
Confederates at Columbus, Ky. Il
The U. S. Quartermaster in New York
has awarded contract for furnishing one
cords of wood for the use IF the
troops at Pickens. Five proposals were
made, ranging from $3.50 to $22 per cord,
the former securing the contract.
In compliance with U. s. Government
order, the cargo of saltpetre brought to New
York by the steamer Borussia, for which
there is no claimant, has been taken after
being appraised. There are 2,Ol5 bags of
the article on the Borussia, and SIG cases
and l,O26 bags on the steamer Hammonia,
which is also to be taken on account of the
Government.
One hundred and twenty-five condemned
U. S. government horses were sold at auc-
ton yesterday in Washington. bringing
from one dollar to ninety-eight dollars each