Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-03-30
Wa. "ReconstructiOn" Convention.

In the Convention on Friday, Mr. Eustacc
Gibson offered the following, which was read
and laid over:
Whereas, the retention Of seats upon this
floor by ds!oyal mon is highly dangerous to the
stability OF The Federal Government and the
flag which waves
"O'cr tho land Of tho free and tho home Of the
brave" ..
and tends to rctarG the progress of civilization
and the restoration the authority Of the best
government on earth: Therefore,
Resolved, That the committee on privileges
and elections be instructed to inquire into the
present and past loyalty of the gentleman
from Charles City" and formerly from Canada,
Mr.. Babcock.
During the session, COL John S. Mosby,
who was in Richmond, visited the hail. and
witnessed the proceedng s on the subject Of the
organization Of the free schools After Colonel
Mosby left the hall, Mr.. J. q. Gibson offered
the following resolution, which was ruled out
of order "Whereas, COL John S. Mosby is
now in the city: Therefore, Resolved, That
in consideration of the NOBLE disinterested and
self-sacriicing services rendered this State, he
be invited to occupy a scat of honor on this
floor"
THE FREEDMEN AND TIE HOMESTEAD ACT.
In the spring OF 1866 Congress so amended the
homestead laws as to authorize any person,
without distinction Of race or color, to obtain a
patent for eighty acres Of Government land in
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and
Arkansas; the immediate requirements being
the payment Of IS and actual occupation and
cultivation. The amended law was approved
June 81 1866. The Commissioner of the
General Land Office has received returns
showing that to September 80, 1867, 325, 1856
acres Of the Government lands in the States
above named havo been taken up. Major
General Howard has fuller returns, showing
that the freedmen alone have taken Up over
300, 900 acres about 5000 farms in Florida
and about $50 farms in each of the other
States. Washington Chronicle.
A letter from the Petersburg correspondent
Of the Richmond Dispatch recommends to the
consideration of the farmers of Virginia, the
cultivation of barley. The numerous breweries
in the State require a large supply Of this
grain, and our soils are we'll adapted to its pro-
duction A year or two ago, under an offer Of
seed from the brewers, a number Of persons
sowed it for the first time, and in some cases
with fine results. Even as d crop tor domestic
use--that is to say, for fecding-it is moro val
liable than cats, than which also no crop is
more uncertain Both hops and barley de-
serve to be tried, together with other things,
to give greater diversity to our agriculture.
Gen. Carey of Ohio, one of the two Repub-
licans in the House who voted against impeach-
ing the President, made speech 10 his con-
sttuents a few days since, in which he said:
"One Of the purest men, and one Of the
best Republicans came and sat down by me
after l had voted against impeachment, and
said Carey, [ believe in my soul you are
right; | would rather give my right arm than
to have voted for it, but you know the power
of party. Oh, the tyranny of party The
yiest despotism on Gods tootstoul is the
tyranny fparty," Applause. ~