Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-01-18
WRGINIA Ne US.

VIRGINIA. NEWS.
The Stratford House, in Westmoreland
county, Va, with $500 acres OF land, the CO.
.lonial homestead of the Lee family and the
birthplace of General Robert 4. Lee, has been
recently purchased by the Southern Orphan
Association. The property is offered in three
prizes by the Association in git scheme
comprising the sale of 1000 tickets at one
dollar each, and the distribution of ,OO4 prizes,
none of which ofless value than $500.
One hundred and thirty-four thousand dol
lars of the city of Wheeling bonds, guaranteed
by the State of Virginia to the Baltimore and
Ohio Rilroad, were surrendered to the treas
urer on Tuesday and destroyed, and the like
amount Of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad stock,
hold Nv the Stale ss security, was delivered to
that city.
A gentleman in Orange county, Va, who
holds $50, 900 in State bonds, proposes to sur
render half of them to the State II the Legsla-
ture will agree to pay him the interest on the
remainder. He advises other holders OF bonds
to make similar proposition.
A very large number of checks received Oh
deposit at the National Exchange Bank IN
Richmond, on the 18th, instant have mystic
riously disappeared. AS payment OF them has
been stopped, there can be no loss to the bank.
The snow is very deep in Northern Virginia.
In Prince William county, on Sunday night
and Monday, there was fresh tall oil eight
inches in depth.
The negroes Of Petersburg are taking meas
ures to provide for the INDECENT OF their own
class, and propose to establish 4 Soup-house Tor
that purpose.
Joseph Mowbrey, long and we'll known
among the sporting fraternity of Ric hmond,
died in Philadelphia a few days since.
There was a sale of 5000 Virginia SKIES at
the New York stock board on Saturday. at
fifty eight dollars.
BURNING OF THE JAIL. AT KINGsrREE,
5. Cite Charleston Mercury gives few
particulars Of the fearful tragedy which took
place at Kingstree S. c., on the It'll inst. Ii
issupposcd that the Jail was fired by the negro
prisoners confined within It's walls, iii the hope
Of making their escape The fire had gained
SO much Roadway before it was discovered that
lis progress could not be arrested. One white
man only was in the jail ut the time, and he cs
ca ped but twenty-five Of the negro prisoner;
persisted in the flames.
The sheriff with the assistance OF nearly all th(
citizens in the village, and the garrison at the
place, Immediately took tho most active mca
surcs to save, If possible, the unfortunate in
mates The door on the basement was opened
but The dense and sufocatlng smoke prevented
any one from rescuing those who occupied tho
third story. As a last resort, strenuous effort:
were then made, with the assistance OF ladders
to remove the grating from one OF the windows
which proved Intellectual Human agency
could effect nothing. Every effort was made
to rescue them which could be suggested, bu
all to no purpose.
In the meantime, We sec that Captain }. W
Clous, in command at Charleston, by order o
General j. 9. Robinson, assuming, from the OK
aggcrated reports he had received, that there
was criminality somewhere. has directed the ar
rest of the jailor and sheriff, with instructions
| to hold them in military confinement under 'hr
charge OF murder, until thc civil authorities
| shall be ready and willing TO try them.
CONGRESS. The Senate. yesterday, passed
with an amendment, the joint resolution ap
propriating $500, 900 to secure site in Ncy
York for postoflice and custom-housc, anc
the bill to increase the pay Of postoliice rout
agents; also the blE making the consent C
Congress necessary before branch roads of tn
Baltimore and Ohio railroad can enter tn
District of Columbia. The bill to regulate tn
tenure of office coming up, long debate ensu
cd. during which quite an exciting scene cnsuGt
between Mcssrs Sumner, McDougall AM
others, causing frequent calls 10 order AM
motions to adjourn No final action was takel
on the bill.
The House took up the legislative, cxecutiv
and judicial appropriation bill, Various amend
ments were adopted, including one to pay
pardon clerk to the President, which had beel
previously stricken out The bill, as anne uded
was then passed. Several bills relating to tn
District of Columbia we're passed. The com
mittee on military affairs was directed to pro
| coed to West Point and inquire into alleged
abuses in furnishing articles to the cadets there
MIR. Stcvcns's bill to enable the Southern
States to form valid governments was agai1
taken up and discussed.
THEY WANT PEAcE-T New Orlean
Times says that General Hood, at the Maguir
dinner in that city, latter speaking Of tn
deeds of valor, performed by soldiers and Off
GERS in the late war, turned upon his crutch
and, with 40 earnest eloquence, as uuexpectc
as it was sublime, pronounced glowing apos
trophe to peace. No man who heard the ut
terances Of the broken soldier on that occasio
could fail to be impressed by his sincerity
''He had seen enough Of war; enough OF it
sickening and desoating consequences, and b
looked forward with prayer and hope to an er
Of peaceful industry, when the sword and spea
should be forgotten in the use of those NOR
worthy implements plowshare and thu
pruning hook-and the thunder Of ordnance
be replaced by the hum Of trade and the buzz