Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-04-06
NEWS or THE DA I.
so shoo hevezy age and body of the Times

: 10 SRoao the Cefy age ana Ooug " "'o :
An extensive fire occurred at Charleston yes
terday. Several buildings on King street, con-
tanning heavy stocks Of goods, were destroyed
The loss is estimated at about Que hundred
thousand dollars There was, however, an in
surance, mostly in Northern agencies, to the
extent of seyenty-seyen thousand dollars.
It's rumored at Washington that proc!a-
nation of amnesty, to include all except about
a score of the most prominent leaders IN the
late war will be issued at an early day The
recent Peace proclamation is understood as
abolishing the order issued by Lieut.. General
Grant against the press.
Another struggle took place yesterday at
Trenton to go into joint meeting to elect SEN
ator from New jersey, usce Stockton, elected.
The effort failed as BEFORE and the House of
Delegates then conculred in the Senate resou-
ton to adjourn to-day sine die.
Whilst two hundred persons were attending
school exhibition at yillage in Wisconsin
the floor gave way and about half Of them were
precipitated into the cellar. No lives were lost,
but many persons were badly bruised and one
had his leg broken.
Frauds upon the Government to the extent,
it is estimated, of two millions Of dollars, have
just been discovered ia the Military Depart
ment of Tennessee. David Henderson, -
Phillips and G. Darling have been arrested at
Nashville as among the parties implicated.
The Charleston Courier says that three thou
sand two hundred negroes have emigrated from
North Carolina to the. New England States
within the past Tires months.
4 terrible tornado passed over johnson
county, Illinois, on the 10th ult., causing great
destruction of property and tho loss Of many
lives
Two hundred and seventy-ivo wagons con-
tanning immigrants, passed through Springfield
Missouri, recently in the course OF one week.
A mass meeting of the friends and supporters
Of President Johnsons policy was held at
Washington yesterday evening
Messrs. Ward l. Bro, Bankers, Rochester,
New York, suspended yesterday mornining af
ter three days run on them.
The FREEDMEN OF VIRGINIA-LETTER
FROM JOSEPH SEGAR TO COMMISSIONER
HOWARD y esterday, Major General Howard,
Commissioner ofFreedmens Affairs, received
lengthy letter from Mr.. Joseph Segar: Of Fis
GINA, regarding the Legislature Of that State
and the Virginia freedmen. The subject Of the
letter is prefaced by the following:
aware from public criticisms, that the late
General Assembly Of Virginia has not had due
credit for its legislation in regard 10 the colored
freedmen, and desiring that my State should
not be misunderstood in so important matter,
/ beg to sketch TO you what was really done IN
the premises.
Nv hen you shall have learned what was ac
tually consummated, [ am very sure you will
readily concede that the late Legislature has?
clear and comprehensive perception OF the
changed relations between the white and the
black man, as wrought by the lesuts OF The re-
beon, and have done all thai, at this time,
could be reasonably expected or asked. Pro
lection to the personal rights OF tie negro, and
care for his moral welfare, run throughout IT'S
enactmen.s.
Mr. Segar establishes the statement that the
freedmen are amply protected in all their rights:
and to substantiate it introduces laws passed
~ the Virginia Legislature on the subject.
r, rooora ~ tho :sVorr.nt Act ~ which the
IL les"'" ~ LAC ,, olS' ~, ~ .,'.. >''
MAJOR General COMMANDING the department 81
Virginia annuIlcd, the following explanation Is
given:
s:Tbe last warrant net Of which 50 much has
hoen sod i M sJyerse cxcention. # only re.
,1.a s Ss sn nld stntnte Which had been unon the
sr .a hook for near a ceptury. and which was
conied Verbatim from the vagrant law of Penn
svIvania, in force there to this day. And am
assnred bv JUDGE Jovncs, chairman of the
Tn5;c;arv Committee Of the House OF Dele
Gates, and BY other distinguished members that
The act was conceived in no special refer
ence 70 the freedmen, It was aimed at ;le poor
white man rather than the poor negEo7aes'Gae
ed to float OFT the scum when the Iash'ngS OF
the waves Of lcEoiutlon have brought to the
surfsce--to reach garroters: burglars and s"ln-