davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
Almost a Duel.

The shore of the Potomac in Alexandria
county came very near being the scene of duel
on Wednesday week. The facts of the case, as
we are informed, are about as follows: Judge
Able, who holds an official position in AIissisip-
pi, met DR.. Sidney of the same State, in the
Capitol square The Doctor remarked to a
friend who was with him that as be had once
fought him in a duel he did not wish to notice
him. The Judge, however came up and ad-
dressed the doctor as follow =" You are a rene
gade Southerner What are You doing here ?"
The response was knock down blow. A
challenge from Judge Able, followed. They
were to fight with rifles on the Virginia shore at
noon, but the matter was subsequently, amicablv
arranged and no fight came off. Judge Able
is a Johnson man and Dr. Sidney is Southern
radical Sidney was in the Mississippi Legisla-
ture and voted against the ordinance of seces-
sion. His second in the contemplated duel was
Colonel Fish, of Louisiana; that of Judge
Able, Colonel Wentworth.-Aler Gazette.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
WEST VIRGINIA.


1t viii be seen by the following proceedings
in the Senate on Monday week, that in the mat
ter of bleeding still further, the unfortunate
counties of Berkeley and Jefferson are not like
ly to escape. They are only to be granted a
respite:
Senate Joint resolution, as amended by the
House. in regard to collection of direct tax in
West Virginia, was laid before the Senate
The following is the amendment
SEC. /. Directs the Secretary of the Treas
ury to ascertain the amount assessed by direct
tax commissioners for Virginia on all real eS-
tate subject to tax within the present limits Of
said State, as part or quota of direct tax laid
by the act Of August 5, 1861; and also the sum
assessed on the lands within the counties of
Berkeley and Jefferson, now a part of West
Virginia; and, also, the remainder of the said
quota which shall be the quota apportioned to
West Virginia.
SEC = West Virginia is made liable to all
duties in relation to said direc, tax imposed up
on, and entitled to all the privileges allowed to,
other loyal States: PrOrjded, That no liability
nor burden whatsoever is hereby imposed, or
shall be imposed, by said State arising in any
way ont of the said tax on lands in the present
limits of Berkeley and Jefferson counties, ex-
cept on terms accepted by majority of the le-
gal voters Of said counties.
SEC 8 The board of direct tax commits
sionerS Of Virginia are authorized to assess and
collect direct taxes in Berkeley and Jefferson
counties, as if a part of Virginia.
SEC t. The Secretary of the Treasury is
authorized to refund money received without
warrant Of law, under direct tax law, on pre-
Sentation in each case of satisfactory evidence
Of such Illegal payment.
SEC s. The Secretary Of the Treasury is
authorized to suspend further collection. of d.
rect tax in West Virginia until March LIST next.
unless claims Of said State against the United
States are sooner adjusted.
SEC. 6. That section of the act of March
s. 1868, to amend the act Of June :, 1862. "for
the collection Of direct taxes in insurrectionary
States be repealed and certificates of sale
shall be received as prima tacie evidence of the
validity Of sale and Of title of purchaser, as pro-
videi in section Of the act of June 1852,
aforesaid.
Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
JOHN Fl. sURRATT.

The President Of the United States, on Mon
day week, transmitted to the House, in COM
pliance with Mr.. Boutwell's resolution, the cor
respondence relating to tina arrest of John d.
Surratt. The correspondence is very volumi-
nous. and entirely relieves the President and
Mr. Seward from the imputation that they had
failed or neglected to use proper efforts TO Sc
cure the arrest of the fugitive.
We shall see whether Mr.. Boutwell, will be
as prompt to disclaim as he was to make impu-
tations upon the President
1t appears that Surratt, after being captured
at Rome. while serving in the Papal guards I'M
der the assumed name of Watson, escaped into
Egypt. He was finally arrested in Alexandra,
and is to be brought home by Admiral Colds
borough in national gunbOat.
1t now turns out, taking the statements as
riven by the person who wormed the secret out
of Surratt, that 5. had never seen Jefferson Da-
Wis. and that the plot to kidnap and carry of
President Lincoln was concocted by himself
and J. Wilkes Booth. S. was not in Wash
ing:on when the assassination took place, but
was in Canada when he heard it. The wit
ness whose written testimony was taken, states
that Surratt had fully confessed his own COM
plicity, and admitted his mothers guilt, or par
ticipation in the crime.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
JOHN H. SURRATT.

1t is strongly limited that an attempt will
be made to spare the life of Surratt if he
will only tell all he knows, and little more,
as to the parties in the assassination plot against
the life of President Lincoln. But unless it is
understood that he can implicate Jefferson
Davis his confession will be deemed of little
account. The following is the latest item on
the subject
MONTREAL, December 15.@The" Minerve"
has an article on Surratt 1t says be was on
his way to Washington when he heard of PreSi-
dent Lincoln's assassination, and Immediately
returned TO Canada. The original plan was to
carry off Lincoln, and hold him as hostage for
the Southern prisoners, but this was altered on
account of the impossibilty of carrying it out,
and of Booths offer to asSaSSinate him. OF this
change Of plan Surratt says he knew nothing.
He always protested the innocence of his moth
err, and affirmed that JEFF. Davis knew nothing
of the conspiracy.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
Mr.. Greeley's Views.

In respect to the views Of Mr.. Greeley re-
garding the South, the Washington correspon-
dent of the Baltimore Gazette writes as fol-
lows:
i learn to-day that Mr. Greeley, Of the New
York Tribune. has, of late, in an extensive cor
respondence, advised thef' Union citizens, So
called, of the Border and Southern States,
greatly 10 moderate their demands upon Cdi-
gress, and to forego altogether their attempt
to govern in their States respectively by sys-
TEN of prescription and test-oaths. He re-
minds them twhat universal history provesl Of
the inter impracticability Of an insignificant mi
nority governing an intelligent majority bymerc
fraud and force, for any considerable time, aud
instances the recent result Of the elections in
Maryland as confirmation STRONG as proofs Of
Holy Writ" Of his views.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
Shepherdstown Items.

From the Register of Saturday last we copy
the following items:
The Lecture by Major II. X. Douglas in the
f. NJ. Church, Of this place, on Saturday even
ing last, upon q Napoleon and StoneratI Jack
son" was quite success. He portrayed their
{" Resemblance and Dissemblace" with much
correctness and truthfulness, and his eloquent
strains accompanying the lecture were happily
received by the large audience present. 1t was
highly spoken of by all who had the pleasure
of hearing it.
Mr.. Faulkner, on behalf of Mr.. Potter6eld,
Sheriff elect, applied to Judge Hall for rrit
of mdndGmUs to test before the Circuit Court,
and. if necessary, before the Court of Appeals,
the legal and Constitutional questions involved
in his case. The rule was awarded and return
able before Judge Hall on Saturday last, in
Martinsburg. The case will be argued Thurs
day, goth, in Shepherdstown, before Judge
Hall. j. w. Kennedy is counsellor the Board
of Supervisors, who declared Mr.. Potterfeld
ineligible to the Office.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
TERRITORIALIzING.

As if to ensure the exclusion Of the South
ern States from a count in the Presidential cleo
ton, Mr.. Stevens has introduced a bill to sub
vert the regular State government of North
Carolina and put up a Provisional Governor,
not, however, to De appointed by the President ;
and further to order Convention to be held at
Raleigh, to be voted for and made up Of self
styled loyalists without distinction of color,
to the exclusion of two-thirds of the white
people of the State, to form State Coustitu-
ton,
We think the leaders viii find, before they
get through, that there are many intricate le-
gal as well as moral questions involved in this
movement. If they subyert the States, they
not only abrogate the existing judicial tribunals,
but they interfere with the suits now pending
under the Constitution, in which different
States are parties before the Supreme Court
between citizens Of the same State claiming
lands under grants Of different States-and be-
tween State orthe citizens thereof, and foreign
States, citizens or subjects.
And further, they must either assume or re-
pudiate the State debts; and the National
Treasury, as in the case of other Territories,
must pay all the expenses Of Territorial govern
ments.
Mr.. Julian has gone further lie has sub
mitted proposition to abrcgate the govern
meuts Of the ten States acknowledged as hay
ing fought themselves out of the Union, and
TO provide that the whole army and navy shall
be employed IN enforcing the new order Of
things. In other words, if the people of these
Southern States do not quietly submit to this
wicked revolutionary project they are to be CO.
creed by black and white soldiers! Has any
thing more mousrous ever been perpetnted on
Ireland, Poland, or Hungary?
Hear what Gen. Grant says in his annulre-
port Of the Dist November la>t-hc whose bu-
siness it has been to look iutothe true condition
Of affairs in the South. He says
Passing from civil war of the magnitude Of
that In which the United States has been en-
gagged TO government through the courts it has
been deemed necessary TO keep q military force
in an the lately rebelhoUs States. 90 insure the
execution Of law, and TO protect life and pro-
perty against the acts of those who as vet. viii
acknowledge no law but force. Tins class has
Drorea 10 De much smaller than could hare been
srDecisd after sUct a conflict Ithas, however.
been sufficiently formidable TO justily the course
which has been pursued. On the whole, the
condition Of the States that were in rebellion
against the Government may be regarded as
qood enough to warrant the hope that but a
Short time will intervene before the bulk of the
troops now occupying them can be sent to our
growing Territories, where they are SO much
needed
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
NO VOICE FOR PRESIDENT.

A bill was reported last week in the House
of Representatives, and will no doubt pass, to
prevent the reception and counting of illegal
electoral votes in the Presidential election
This is done to exclude the ten Southern States
now left out of the Union. This may be deem
ed necessary to ensure the President to the
Radicals, but unless human reason has fled to
brutes it will avail the party nothing. 1t is
impossible that a majority Of the people North
and West can tolerate project so wantcn and
wicked. There must be reaction against mea-
sures so grossly subversive of all the principles
of free government.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
The constitutional Amendment.

Petitions are being circulated in Worcester
county, Mass, and in other parts of the State
praying the Legislature not to ratify the con-
stitutional amendment, on the ground princi-
pally of "the danger to the liberties of the peo-
pie from conceding to any State" as is done in
the second section of the proposed amendment,
"the right Or possibility of denying to any class
of its loyal citizens the natural right of repre-
sentation and the elective franchise"
Baltimore SWa.
Win it be proposed to punish Massachusett
for her contumacy if she should reject the a.
mendment, by threatening her with "some-
thing worse?" Sumner must look to the "rights
of the States" as Chase did when he was Go
vernon of Ohio.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20

A NOBLE REpIY.-The Poole-Holden bill
to degrade North Carolina, introduced into the
House of Representatives by Thad Stevens, Eat
the request of several gentlemen from North
Carolina, as he explainedit, was offered early
in the session of that day, in time to reach RAJ
leigh before the vote was taken on the Consti-
tutional amendment. Its object, on that day,
was to intimidate the Legislature, as it was
known ~ Holden that the Constitutional a.
menGment was the special order for Thursday.
The answer to the menace was the vote on the
amendment-one hundred and thirteen 10 eler-
en.-(NC) Commercial, Dec.l5.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
Radical Efrontery.

The most ludicrous as well as the most i'm
pudent proposition of this age of brass was
that made in the U. S. Senate, on Monday last,
through Mr.. Sumner, 1t was the proceedings
of so-called Unconditional Union mass meet
ing heldat Norfolk on the 18th instant, with
out respect to color, in which complaint is
made of "insults, prosecutions, and unlawful
punishments to loyal neighbors," IA lie every
word of it, and stating that they ''do lot re-
cognize any civil government now existing in
the insurrectionary territory of Virginia, and
praying that Congress should ignore such gov
eminent under Gov. Peirpoint, and establish,
instead thereof, loyal territorial government,
with some such staunch friend of the Union
& Das Judge Underwood its head"
And this miserable efiflsion was referred to
the committee on reconstruction
This is no doubt the work of some of Under
woods minions-the material for which he re-
lied to"pack his jury" to hang Davis. Seeing
that if the last Radical scheme of territoriali-
ling Virginia be adopted, he will lose his "long
term Seuatorship'' as well as his Judgeship.
Underwood and his black crew are casting a
bout for some other crib at which he may feed
for a few years to come.
The people of Virginia have made up their
minds to swallow some bitter pills, without
winning, but if they can stand further dose of
Underwood, their stomachs will have attained
a degree of tenacity only equalled or approach
ed by that of the ostrich.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
FAITH OF THE RADICALS.


The idea has been held out to the Southern
States that upon the adoption Of the constitu-
tional amendment by them they would AZ once
be admitted to full representation in Congress.
Distrust on this head was very naturally excit-
ell by the fact that at'the last session bill pro-
viding for that object was smothered in the
House Of Representatives by being laid upon
the table. Wendell Philips, the most fluent
and outspoken Of the radicals. has more than
once declared the amendment was fraud, un-
worthy Of the party.
In a recent debate in the Senate, on the bill
for the admission Of Nebraska as a State, the
fact was elected that nothing short Of negro
suffrage, in its broadcast scope in the South,
will satisfy the leaders Of the dominant party
in Congress. 1t is useless, therefore, even t.
consider the degrading proposition.
Mr.. Sumner objected totho admission Of Ne
braska because its constitution contains the
word lcEiie-Dalthough he has recently prefer
red white wife over black oue,l and insists
that every one Of the Southern States, before
he agrees to their admission, shall confer i'm
partial suffrage, without distinction Of color.
Mr.. Wade declared that he felt himself
bound, if the Southern States adopted the
amendment, to admit them to representation
in Congress; but he qualified his assertion by
declaring that this was to be done within
reasonable time, and that time he thought had
nearly elapsed so that he leaves himself a
hole to creep out.
SUMNER says the cry now is: No more
States with the word 'rhite in their constitu-
tons
But this is not all: Before the States inter
ested had time to consider the subject the
threat was given out that they must take this
dose or something worse. Well, let the worst
come. The more deyilish the contriyances,
the more certain the retribution. Two years
are but a brief period in the life of nation.
The National nteligencer, referring to the
new shibboleth Of the Radicals, as avowed by
Mr.. Sumner, says it is a plain admission that
the proposition of the constitutional amend
ment was a mere trick, used in the late cleo
tons to deceive the people; that it never was
expected to be accepted by the South, and ne
yer intended, if accepted, to be regarded as a
fnality. Mr. Wade admitted that if Congress
W IS not sincere there was something wrong
The IntelHgencer truly says:
Mr. Wade is only little in advance oftbe
people Of the North in making the discovery
that the canvass in the late elections. as con-
Quoted by the Radical politicians, was simply
a huge fraud that it was carried on through
out upon false pretences; that the honest vo-
tiers, who were induced 10 give the Radicals
new leave Of power because they had offered
TO the South the constitutional amendment as
a faGliy Cr reconstruction, were most merci-
lessly duped and betrayed by designing and
inscriptions party leaders, who abused their
misplaced confidence"
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.

In the Senate, on Thursday last, on motion
of Mr.. Meade, the rules were suspended, and
the Senate bill directing steps to restrain the
collection of taxes imposed by West Virginia
on the counties of jefferson and Berkeley was
taken up and passed.
On motion of Mr.. Meade, the preamble and
Joint resolution reported from the Committee Of
Finance for the relief of Samuel c. Young was
taken up and passed.
The House of Delegates, on Thursday, after
an animated contest, and by close vote, pas
sed bill postponing from January to August
next, the compulsory payment of interest I'M
der the stay-law.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
For the Holidays.

Messrs. CAMPBELL Mason, have had, in the
last few days, very large accesonsto their already
well-as.6rted stock of Christmas Goods. Any one
in search of something suitable for Git for rela-
tive, friend or sweetheart, hardly be amiss in
examining the many beautiful things offered by
these gentlemen.
Also, large additions to'their stock of Medicines
some of which will come in well the day after
hristmas, we apprehend from preparations by
our enterprising Grocers and Confectioners.
To Messrs. Campbell & Mason we return thanks
for box Of richly perfumed Soap. If, in the fu-
ture, we should be accused of soop-ing them, we
beg leave to remind the reader of the absence a
lye ~ our compounds.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
thermometer Churn.

The Thermometer Churn for sale by RASsoy q
DUKE, is growing in favor with Butter makers be-
cause it makes the butter "come quick, of bet
ter quality, and more in proportion to the cream
used than by any other Churns. 1t is also favo-
rite because it is light, portable durable, easily
operated, and readily OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
" combined in thurns hitherto offered. One Of
these wosld, Doubtless prove an acceptable Christ
mas present, and throw out the suggestion TO
some of our farmers who are laboring under con-
fused notions as TO what would be acceptable
to their "better halves"
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
Intelligence from Europe.
Thy the Atlantic Cable.1

The Great Coliery ErplOsiom- Orer Three
Hundred Lires Lost-A Second Explosion.
BARNsLEY, ENGLAND, December ia ter
rible explosion took place at Oats coliery, near
this place, at l o'clock this afternoon. This
colery contains the largest pit in this district
ofthecountry. The shaft is 270 yardsdeep, and
thelateral works extended assistance oftwomiles
from the bottom. Nearly four hundred men
and boys were in-the mine at the time of the
explosion. nearly all of whom persisted.
NINE O'CLOCK ?. M.-Every aid is being
given to rescue the survivors of the explosion.
Parties have counted thirty-eight dead within
the space of fifty yards a few of the unfor-
tunate victims have been brought out alive, but
badly mutilated. Engineers are of the opinion
that owing to the foul air there can be no more
alive in the works, If this is true over three
hundred human beings lie buried in the recess
ses of the pit. The excitement among the
families in the town is most intense and pain
full. and the works and vicinity have been scene
of wailng and despair all day. A similar &C
cident occurred some twenty years ago at the
same pit, by which seyenty-three lives were
lost
BARNsLEY, December 13.-Another expIo-
sion took place in the same pit at O'Clock this
morning, while working parties were finding
and drawing out the dead Eighty of the
bodies had been drawn out when the second
explosion took place. Several officials and a
number of volunteers were in the pit at the
time of the second disaster, and it is feared
that they have all persisted. The exciting
scenes Of yesterday were renewed.
LATER.-Some of the volunteers have been
taken ont alive.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
True.

True.
The true interest of subscribers and publish
ers (says the Georgetown Courier of newspa-
pers requires the adoption of the system of ad-
vance payment, and yet it is unpleasant for
the publisher to enforce such rule against
names that have been on his books any time.
The only proper way to doit is for the subscri-
bers to adopt the rule themselves, and they will
thereby enable the publisher to give them a
better paper, and have the satisfaction of know.
ing that they are not in debt for it.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
NEGRO SUFFRAGE.

The passage of the suffrage bill will give
votes to thousands ofignorant negroes whohave
focked to the District of Columbia from Mary
land and Virginia; and already are the radicals
boasting that with the aid of these they can
control the elections nexs summer. There is
a project on foot, however, to repeal the char
ters Of Washington and Georgetown, and give
entire control to a board of Commissioners
The people of the two cities are now altogeth-
er Indifferent as to the pending legislation.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20

VIRGINIA WooLEN MrLLs.-The superinten-
dent of the Fredericksburg Wooden Mills, Mr.
Waterhouse, has shown us some beautiful speci-
mems of blankets half an inch thick, apd over
coating over one-quarter of an inch thick
These cloths are light and soft, and equal to
French goods worth $40 yard. The mill is
now making 500 yards day. and has avera-
ged for the past two months 700 day.-Fred-
ericksJrg Ners.
We are pleased to publish such items as the
above. They speak well for the future of the
South. When she learns to manufacture her
cotton, wool, metals and other products, the
prosperity OF the South will be unequaled by
any other section of the country. It is graft
flying to know that many enterprises in this di-
rection have already been started.-LynclJury
Vngiaian.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-20
Drugs, &c.

Messrs AIsoUrrH d BRo. have on hand the lar
gest stock and best assortment Of Drugs, Chemi-
calls, Paints Oils, Fancy Goods, Perfumeries, Soaps
Stationery, &C., ever before offered by them, and
we direct attention to their advertisement with
pleasure.
The appointments of their establishment are COM
plete in every particular, and prescriptions are
compounded with the utmost nicely and precision.
Physicians supplied with all Medicines necessary
to their practice at rholesaie prices.