Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-12-21

Supreme Court of the District of Columbia on
Monday Judge Macarthur delivered the opin-
ion of the Court in the case OF Duff and BeDja-
min Green vs. Columbus Alexander, involving
the validity of the Old Capitol property, used
during the war and known as tAe Old Capitol
Prison, The suit was entered some time since
to set aside the sale made to MIR. Alexander,
who has converted the building into residences,
and to permit the plairtif to redeem the pro-
pcrty, which was sold under deed of trust
while the government held the building in pos
session. The Court directed that the sale be
set aside and the plaintiff allowed to redeem,
and that an account of debt, improvements,
&C., be taken The Court held that, as at
the time Of the sale the property was held and
used as military prison and guarded By SOL
such sale could not be an open sale as required
by law, and on this ground alone the Court
would have beeu compelled to sell the rule
aside; bull there was another eround-Con-
cress, the Executive and the Supreme Court,
all have held that the war OF the rebellion was
public war. Such wars suspended the ortl-
nary relations between debtor and creditor, and
in the recent csse of Dean vs.. Wilson the Su
prcme Court OF the United States decided that
tho sale under mortage of the estate of a per
SOD who was absent within the lines of the in
surgent States Gid not extineuish the right to
| redeem. For these reasons the Court directed
the sale TO be set aside. Judge Wylie announ
ced that, while he concurrcd with the judg.
ment Of the Court, he did 50 for the grounds
first mentioned by the opinion and not Tor The
seOad reason assigned
/ $4,000 EARRINGS. -Mlle. Aimee, who is
to make her first appearance before an Amer
caa audience, in the Graod Opera House, on
| Wednesday evening, wears diamond earrings
| of the purest radiance, presented her by the
Emperor of Brazil. Prince Erics miniature
kohi-noor weighs fully II carats, and is valued
ut $.5,000 but the new prlms donns's tTln
gems weigh each Is carats, and could not be
bought for 100000 Had the Germans sue
ceeded in bringing down the balloon in which
the famous songstress made her daring flight
from Paris over the Prussisn lines, they would
have secured rich prize, for it is said that
Mile. Aimee's jewelry, presented to her by
enthusiastic admirers, would realize sufficient
to equipa corps Of Uhans.-N. 7. Sun.
ICoMMUNIcATED.
10 the editor ofMe Alerandria Gazette :
Whilst it is gratifying to the relatives OF the
late Gen. r. f. Lee. to learn that Senator Nc
Creely, of Kentucky, has just estimate CT
his character, it is also subject of regret with
them that he should have introduced his name
in the u. S. Senate--a body whose majority IS
30 free from generosity, m gnaHimity and elsva
ted sentiments, and 50 full OF blas-preJ uHlce,
and bigotry.
The opportunity to vent spleen, spite, and
malice upon the name aud fame OF the greatest
soldier and purest citizen ever born within tbe
limits of tho United States, should not have
been afforded.
The tenure Of the Government upon Mrs.
Lees estate, Arlington, is, las every one
kuow,) illegal and unjust.
A simple resolution of enquiry 70: all the
facts, bearing upon its alleged con6scaton and
its present title, Though productive of no good
before partisan body,) would have covered
MIR. McCreery's ground.
Sumner, OF Massachusetts,, was night When
he said in the debate, that Stanton when Sec
rotary of War "sclected Arlington Tor the iu-
J terment OF the dead bodies of Union soldiers
} in order to forever prohibit the rc-ustalmcn'
of the Lee family there" ..,, ,sru
so that Rebel family can never occupy il
again. is said to have been the very word:
used by him to his face subordinate
| That brilliant ideo wasieaHorly nmhracnd r.
1.-THE best Government the world ever saw
} and the desire to reinforce lis legal pretext o.
possession, by corps Of dead soldiers forms
the proof of 40 insecurity existing in its owr
mind, as to it's assumed ownership of Mrs. Lee.
property.
Gen. Lee Meier ownel an 1ch OF Airing
ton, and it is hoped his pure character will bt
kept, forever in the future, out of the
mouths of such men as recently derived COM
fort from an attack upon it.
Dec. 10, 1870.