The New York herald., 1863-12-26
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

WAsHiSGros Dec. 20, 1868
que ne,,o,s,. NrIc CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS AND TIN
pFNoc' ATTIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE.
Depocra,,c me,b, Of Congress who are here regard
with sore astoaist announcement that the com.
nittee Of the Congressional ,mocrato wero in
conference with members of the y 'onal Com mittee In
reference TO the time and place OF b5eng the National
Democratic Convection Ine committee Vas arpoIned.
1t seems simply to prepare and report the bust
ness for its consideration. A matter OF such import
AS the time aud place OF nominating Presidential cand
date was not Intended to be included in this duty
RESTRICTIONS UPON TRADE IN EASTERN VIRGINIA.
Great complaint Is made by loyal citizens OF Eastern
Virginia OF the unnecessary restrictions imposed uJon
trade and the influx OF spectators from abroad who
allowed oy the military TO monopoze business. This ia
especially tho at Alexandria and Martinsburg. At
the latter place twenty Establishments, whose
were oya men. and had secured LICENCES for hsir bus
ness until May 1884, perenpory closed and three
men introduced from Baltimore who have monopoly OF
the trade. In Alexandria there arc three large
breweries Idle. Their owners have been known
ns loyal men ever since the outbreak OF the
war, but the manufacture OF malt liquors forbidden
while hundreds Of barrels OF ale shipped the city
every month by outsiders In other branches OF bust.
ness is tho The people taxed by the govern
meut drafted and their State authorities recognized
and at the time OF their establishments are
shut up, while every encouragement s offered adven
turers from other cities Three ourths OF the business
men in Alexandria are n-resideuts. The Legsa-
ure ard the Virginia representatives In Congress have
endeavored to correct these evils without The
hsbtants are united in expressions OF dissatisfaction with
the course Of the government and are considering the
eSpedepcy OF calling informal convention In relation
TO the matter. There IL believe that theso facts
are not fully understood at the headquarters of the de-
partment but unless corrected soon evil canno, fat TO
ensue
SUPPLIES FOR THE REBELS FROM MARYLAND.
There Is doubt that the rebels are receiving large
quantities OF supplies from Maryland the Upper
Potomac. Parties find little difficulty in crossing
at Berlin and Point Of Rocks. and extensive trade
going on between Baltimore and Loudon. It Is known
that goods have been received Orange House by
this route, and communication between the rebels and
their sympathizers in Maryland scarcely with in
terrupton There Is to believe that there is
moro smuggling this than there teen at
any period on the Chesapeake Bay the Lower Potomac
TIE QUICKSILVER MINING CLAIa SUR.
The United States Supreme Court Is to take up
gument Immediately after the holidays the claim or the
Quicksilver Mining Company to the celebrated quicksilver
mines In California, bat the Involves points In
reference to the surveys similar to already decided
by the court II Is the opinion OF the Attorney General
that the decision will again be in favor OF the United
o'aees Meahwho, the government u IN Possession Oh
the property, and has rented for oneihrd Of the
profits. If the decision should be adverse to the
companys lain they still hope continue working the
mines by paying TO the government the present rent,
and that the stock Notwithstanding the largo additional
issue, will not be reude red altogether valueess.
ossEavAScS or cHErsTMAs.
Christmas has been observed hero In very fnint
ner most Of the residenis having lott the city
spend the holidays ut home The departments and plces
Of business closed and held in mos. OF the
churches At The several hospitals and forts grand din
ncrs were provided for tho men, and every facility
Afforded for proper observance OF the day During the
last forty eight hours the cay has been free from
the presence OF officers aud soldiers than any previous
period OF the war.
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