The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-03

The Boston Traveller states that Secre.a-
~ Chase sneaks very openly of the unneces-
Sary exnenditures the waste, and extrava,
sance OF many,engaged in the military one.
rati"ns OF the United States, and is in favor
OF 'erie ting cut and publishing the frau Is
M regulations of contractors. &C., &c.
| lhe weather, to-day, has been cold and
wintry. with ice forming.
The St. Louis Republican gives the Con-
stItution forms of initiation. eaths. &c Of a
secret Z nfederate society-callei the En-
rganised in Gen. Prices camp.
AMI spreading through Missouri.
On the Goth o' December the brig Frances
Jane. Captain Krch, cleared from Baltimore
tor St Johns, Porto Rico returned to An
nap"lis on Wednesday in charge Of the fist
off'cer The brig, by order Of the Captain,
was run into the Potomac, and when eff
Smiths Point the Captain, a portion of the
crew, and s'me half dozen young men who
were secreted on hoard the brig when she
ieit Baltimore. went ashore on the Virginia
S de- A large quantity of quinine and 9th
er medicines, together with spool cotton. but
tons and other articles, which had been put
all ard here were removed in the boat and
taken to Virginia.
Mr. Steiff, the well known piano manu-
fac'urer, died in Baltimore last Wednesday.
Mr.. Stewards letter to Lord Lyons is
SHARPLY satrzed by the Albany ARGUS. lie
is accused by that Journal with arguing
both sides. and ingeniously pausing in the
middle to confess that be dqes not know
which be has done best.
AT Berlin, above the Point of Rocks, on
he 3lst, two men on the Virginia side beg
,ed to be brought over, stating they were re.
ugees. Captain Pardee. of Company A,
18th Pennsylvania regimen despatched Il
ergeant and two men in boat to bring them
IT. AS the boat approached the shore,
ompany of dismounted Confederate cavalry
bowed themselves on the Hill abuye. and
red voley upon the boat. The crew threw
themselves overheard towards the MARYLAND
bore, and, thus protected, pulled the boat
cross. rart aaa
Captains Shubrick and Wilkes, and Naval
instructor Pook, compose the board recent. !
: appointed by the U. S. Secretary of the j
avy to report and examine upon certain in.
snlons which promise usefulness in that
'anch of the U. S service. vs !
"A German journal speaks # young au- !
Dress, who has distinguished herself in the
.erary world. She is called the Baroness s.
Clokerkrakerstocac Pickalkrenken. 81 !.
The chemical name Of ,satpetre or nitre is r
tfate or potash, and as it's title signifies, it q
a co pouad Of nitric acid and potash 1t =:
a salt. well known 10 eommerce, and of f.
eat Importance. 1t is both II natural and d
artificial production, being found ON the o'
'tice Of the, soil in many parts of India, ~
ypt, Italy, W, but in all OF these and cs
Ter places, The saltpetre known in com. II
rec is obsained by lxiviating the earth, II
ltaih'ngit IN manner RESEMBLING the ex. y,
c:ion Of potash from wood ashes. r.,
The U. s. Government have on hand about M
r million pounds Of refined saltpetre. suf- - .
'nt to make fifty thousand barrels Of pow ~
The smalness of this supply may be
n when 'he ability Of an army to shoot
~ powder is considered, +
,rrn NJ x,,r.m, ~, the
= An 49, 90 - n'' i9 ~ 'NEf was very II.
eF' 'h's M rn'ns: nothing happened be- of
d the IN wing Of the Pensacola aud the
siag ei u flw tugboats re- the
so