The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-10-13
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
wAsu1NGroN, D. c., Sept. "a, 1869.

On Saturday night ana all DAY yes
terday we were visited with the
sEquinoctial," terrible storm of rain
which flooded the City and left our
streets in even more filthy condition
than before. A corresponding change
of temperature came-and to-day it is
cold enough for a fire. Perhaps this
City is more subject to sudden and ex-
treme atmospheric changes than any
other place in the country. On Satur-
day, for example, it was unpleasantly
warm, to-day unpleasantly cold, for
the season.
Attorney General Hoar was applied
to on Saturday for an opinion as to the
power, under the Constitution, of the
newly elected Legislature of Virginia
to send Senators to the United States
Senateg at the forthcoming session
and prior to the admissionaof the State
BY Congress. It is considerably prob
able that he will decide the Legislature
to have such power, and that Congress
will reject those it may elect in order
to give the Radicals another chance to
obtain the "spoils.n The Virginia
Question is likely to prove far greater
"muddlen than was at first supposed.
Hoar has also been asked for another
opinion. 1t appearing that General
Sherman, in his usual overbearing,
bluff, discourteous manner, having re-
fused to allow several claim agents,
whom he charged with corrupt con-
duct, to practice as attorneys before
the War Department., the agents
sued ont writ of mandamus-where-
upon Sherman referred the matter to
Hoar as the Law Minister of the Adj
ministration, for his opinion as to tile
powers of the Secretary of War. The
question was argued before the Attor-
ney General by the counsel for the at
torneys, and Mr.. Hoar reserved his
decision, giving it to be understood
that he will sustain the Secretary.
Commodore Worden, the command
er of the Iron Monitor in the celebrated
fight with the Merrimac in Hampton
Roads, Virginia-one of the most de-
cisive and important sea battles in all
naval history-has been assigned to
duty at Annapolis, Maryland, as Su-
perintendent of the Naval Academy in
place of Admiral Porter who has had
charge of the Academy for the past
three years. Commodore Worden was
severely injured about the face in that
battle, and has been suffering from the
effects of his wounds ever since. He
is now in Dresden. Worden is said to
be something Of Martinez, but very
capable and skillful officer. The ques-
ton now is, does Robson intend Il
resign to give Grant an opportunity t.
commission Porter Secretary Of the
Navy. would suggest that three es.
pecial commissions as Major-General.
in the army be made out for Hoar
Cresswell and Boutwell,, SO each Of til,
prominent member9 Of the Cabine
should be connectedswith the army
I had a thought Of proposing another
Admirably for Robson bat he 10 8,
thoroughly educated in marine affairs
he does not need it. When he becam,
Secretary he took to reading Maryatt'
novels and conceived, having also thu
example OF Porter before his eyes-tha
his first duty was to become profcien
in Naval profanity. Porter says h,
will edo" in that line now. His las
expletive, as reported about the Nav,
Department is as follows, addressed t.
a messenger in his Office "Ceasar, bug
ger my bloody fore gait top gallan
royal mizzen cat head jibbcon, there
not drop Of :nk in my quarter decl
Iforecastle inkstand." It is needless t.
; say that the irkstand was soon filed
Mons. F. A. Bile, the late charg'
d'effairs of Denmark to the Unite'
States, having been accredited to til
United States as Minister resident o
that Kingdom, was formally presente,
, as such to the President, on Saturday
by Secretary Fish, and delivered hi
credentials. The President replied Il
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