Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-03-18

Bazaine and the last of the French troops that
were sent to Mexico left Vera Cruz on the 10Th
instant.
The reform bill to be broug hit lnto the Bril-
fish House of Commons to-day proposes 10
give the right Of suffrage to rate paying house
holders after two years residence to men pay
ing one pound taxes annually or having tnlrty
pounds in 4 savings bank or nifty p0unoS 10 the
funds, and to all members OF the learned pro
cessious and graduates Of the universities. Inc
bill also provides for fifteen pound FRANCHISE
in the counties.
THE COMMISSION TO WAsHNGToN.-ln
the Senate of Virginia, on Tuesday, Mr.
Boiling, from the special committee to visit
the city of Washington, and confer with the
Government there, presented the following
report:
10 Me Senate q bWgtr"t:
Your committee, acting under resolution
appointing them to confer with the Govern
ment ut Washington as to whether the con-
ycntion proposed to be called by the General
Assembly Of Virginia, be considered and re-
cog1zed as :: legal mode OF holding conVcn-
ton under The act Of Congress passed March
2, 1867 have the honor to report that they
repaired to Washington, were politely and
kindly received by the authorities, and invited
fy prominent members OF Congress to make
suggestions Of amendments to the pending
question before Congress-belng supplement
tary bill 10 The act aforesaid-Whlch sugges-
tons they made, and if adopted will materially
soften its terms and render them more con
ciliatory.
Your committee entertain the opinion that
a convention bill passed by the General As
semblv OF Firginia-so far as in conformity 10,
and not in conflict with the act Of Congress
aforcyad-- would he recognized by the author
tiles as Tending to produce harmony.
Your committee are further satisfied lr0ul
their interviews with the authorities III Wash
ingt0n that the demonstration made by The
Legislature Of Virginia, in favor OF framing
constitution rs required By law, promptly and
in good faith, Is having tic salutary elect in
softcning tic aspcrity Of prevailing opinion,
and changing the tone Of sentiment towards
the reAplc Of the State; and that the desire
expressed was, that We should, at once, comply
with the conditions imposed and thus be re-
stored 10 our rights in the Union, with repre-
sentatlycS ln Congress. (SIgncd,
GEO. -, Boiling, Chalrman
+. F. KEEN.
JOHN Il LEE.
\. s. GRAY.
NIr. Onld stated he had refused to sign the
report for Two reasons In the first place, he
did not think ii proper for 4 committee ol the
Senate to make recommendation to affect the
action OF the House OF Delegates upon I sub
iecr new pending before that body; and upon
which the Senate had already acted In The
second place, he ha1 not in Washington dis,
covered any reason why 4 convention bill
should be passed b. the General Assembly, or
how any action on its part would IN any man
ncr influence tic action Of Congress.
Nicscrs B0llng and Cray, addressed the
Senate in explanation Of the report, and de-
failing the proceedings Of interviews at Wash
ington
Mr.. Lee said lie had reluctantly signed the
report. but believed it to lie the policy Of Nir
ginia to be c0nclliatory.
Mr.. MERCER addressed the Senate at some
length inregard to the report Of he committee,
and proposed to 90 into secret session.
On motion Of Mr. Gray the report was laid
on the table and ordered to be printed
speaking Of this very ertra0r{0ary report
OF tho majority Of the Commission-extraordl,
nary in more senses than onc-the Richmond
Enquirer says 1t is due to facts to say,
that the President is believed to be quoted
without just authority, as commencing the
late action of one branch Of our Legislature in
moving for a convention That may have been
the impression received by some Of the gentle
men who have visited him. but others are
equally distinct, and very circumsantial, in
representing him as counselling awaiting upon
the legislation of Congress-. " 1t may be added
that the Radicals are commenting on the ac-
ton of the Senate Of Virginia, as IN attempt
to 'circumvcnt' Congress. There is nothing
whatever known to the public to countenance
in the slightest degree, the conclusion to which
these Commissioners arrived.