Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-04-13
Impeachment.


the stand at Q o'clock, and remained there I'M
til the adjournment. This time was nearly all
consumed by the arguments pro and con OF the
Managers objections to the questions asked
Gen. Sherman by Mr.. Stanbery, so that the
witness really testified to but very little. 1t
was elected that Mr. johnson had at two sep
crate interviews offered him the position Of
Secretary of War at interim. The Presidents
counsel endeavoed to elicit from him what
the President had said at these interviews, and
to this end propouDded several questions, all
of which were objected to by General Butler
and the objection sustained by the Senate. If
the Gen. had been allowed to answer the ques-
TONS. his testimony would have been that the
President merely asserted his wish to bring the
question Of Mr. Stanton's right to the Office Of
Secretary of War, before the Supreme Court.
The NATURAL BRIDaE.-The tract of land
of l65 acres on Cedar creek, in Rock bridge coun
ty, and including that world-renowued curios-
ity, ''The Natural Bridge, il, as has been al
ready stated, offered for sale The property is
now in ''successful operation as hotel prop.
erty." The Natural Bridge, which is associa-
ted with many interesting traditions OF the
fathers of Virginia, was once on the property
of Thomas Jefferson, who, if we mistake not
took it up under land warrant 1t is situat-
ed in the southeastern corner Of Rockbridgc
county, in the midst of the wild scenery of the
Blue Ridge region, and almost under its shad
ows upon its western side. AT "a point twelve
miles from Buchanan, passing around the foot
Of a hill upon a rapidly descending road, the
traveller suddenly finds himself upon narrow
track, like lane between two high wooden
fences From his horse he may look over
these fences into space, but nothing would
suggest to him that he. is upon that great ma
tural bridge so celebrated in the history of the
country This grand but simple structure is
suspended over q chasm nearly one hundred
ieet wide and two hundred feet deep, the two
parallel walls Of strati6ed limestone incning
at the same angle, which varies but a few de-
grees from the vertical Cedar creek flows
under it, At the bascof the bridge many
names Of travellers and visitors are carved up
on the walls. One Of the traditions is that
General Washington climbed to great height
and cut his initials conspicuousy upon the
rock 1t remained for native of Rockbrldge,
Colonel Piper, to outstrp all competitors and
carve his name where none heve yet dared to
follow. alI % .,-
This property must always be interesting,
and as population increases, will become more
and more valuable as hotel property. Nc stran;
ger will be content to pass near the Natural
Bridge without seeing it.-Rtcltm0nd lFh1g.
ANOTHER ScENE.-In the Virginia Recon
struction Convention, on Friday, when the
Homestead Exemption matter was being voted
-, , .o,,,1t ob oaJ Nv rlia NJ, to,
outrage similar to one pcrpetrated q day or 50
ago As the vote was announced, it was sllg-
gested from the Radical side that it was doubt
full as to whether there were. 81 members pre-
sent. The Secretary was requested TO read
the vote to make this matter certain. The
roll was read, and the Radical leaders, who
had in the mean time prevailed upon negro
member and Hunnicutt to change their vo ties
from the negative to the affirmative, made
this subtcrtuge by which members could
claim the privilege Of changing their votes.
White who was in the chair, decided in favor
OF this piece of pretty rascality. An appeal
was taken from this, which was voted down.
A scene of disgraccfu! confusion ensued,
caused in part by demonstration of applause
on the part Of Radicals at the sacccss of their
scheming About dozen members claimed
the floor, and as many more were clamoring
points of order. In the midst of this, Carter
bawlcd out, "NIr. President, L m ateard the
sperit OF the K X. KS has got Into this
body" Loud laughter.
Milbourne CONFUSION slightly subsidcd) ::
Il don't know what you may think about it,
Mr.. President, but 1 think this is pack OF
the biggest fools ever did sec. Ifyou cam
do your business, [ hope you'll get the Ser
geant-at- Arms to help you Loud laughter
and confusion.
Quiet was at length restored Richmond
Dispatch. ---- =.
FAUoUIER TEMs.-Qn Sunday week, about
day break, the residence of Mr.. Albert G..
Smith, near Bethel Church, in Fauquier
county, was destroyed by fire, together with
several out. houses Mr.. S., his wife and two
children narrowly escaped with their lives.
Mr.. Arther NJ. Payne, father Of Gen. VIM
H. Payne died on the Sd inst, near Columbia,
Boone county Mo-, from an affection of the
heart, in the 64th year Of his age. Mr.. T.
moved from Fauquier county some ~ or IA
years ago to Missouri.
The trial of J. Washington Fletcher for the
murder OF Ernest G. Hunton at New Balti-
more last October, which occupied several days
of Judge Thomas Court now in session, was
concluded on Thursday, the jury returning a
verdict Of ''guilty of murder in the first de-
gree" without consultation of five minutes
after the case was submitted. -..5. ...a
We learn from the Enquirer that E. B.
Gates, late Bureau officer at Warrenton, was
arrested with others at Richmond on Wednes-
day, charged with defrauding the u. S. Gov
eminent and suborniDg witnesses in cases of
whiskey frauds. He was Government detec
tive from Washington CITY, Wa1rentonIuder
The Richmond Enquirer says: '"To the
many gentlemen from the North, who have
come among us to unite their fortunes with
those of our OWE neople,we cannot be too kind.
And they should be taught that we have
buried the hates and passions eDgendered by
the late civilWar. But we cannot hold in too