The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-20
A New Convention Concluded
With Mexico.
Large Fire in Alexandria Relics Of the
Revolution Destroyed.
The Congressional Ku Klux
Committee at Work.
VISIT Of the British Commissioners to the
Washington Public Schools.
WASHINGTON, May 10, 1871.

WASHINGTON, May 49, 1871.
New Convention Concluded With Mexico.
Under instructions from Secretary Fish, Minister
Nelson has concluded with Mexico a new conven-
ton, which received at the Department OF state
yesterday and Immediately communicated to the
United States Senate. This convention continues
the mixed commission on claims for one year from
January next The new convention was promptly
ratified by the Mexican Congress- and it Ia expected
that 1t Win be approved by the Senate here without
opposition
National MISUNDERSTANDING Of Public Build
inGs in ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RevoIu-
ti0nnry Relics.
The fire which occurred in Alexandra this morn
ing destroyed all the city buildings, including many
time nonOrcd edifces associated with old colonial
times, and was one OF the most destructive conha
grati0ns that has visited the ancient town. The
ire burned four hours and left an acre and hall OF
the most valuable property in the city waste upon
which some fire-blackened and cracked walls alone
remained. The total loss will reach $1o0, OOO Of
which not over $4,000 covered by in
surance. All the city records for a century,
stored In the buildings were burned. Fac Alex
andria Museum had many revolutionary relics,
and Alexandra Washington Lodge had quite num-
Der OF relics OF Washington, who was one of the
masters OF that lodge. AL the Washington relics
and most OF the revolutionary flags In the Alexan-
slria Museum were saved. including the nag OF the
Alexandria company Of Morgan's rife regiment, the
nag Of Paul jones' and that borne by Washington's
body guard during the 'fimes that tried
mems souls.n The city and court records
were saved. Some Of the buildings; burned
came down from colonial times, anu 9TH
ers were OF more modern date. The lot on
which they stood was set apart for market place
in l748, and the old Court House Just burned was
erected in that year. IL was here that Colonel
George Washington's troops were quartered after
the capture Of Fort Necessity, In 1864, and from
here Braddock's regiments marched to their defeat
III 1855. 1t was IN this place that occurred the
noted scene between Washington and Colonel Payne
In this old Court House Washington gave his
last vote. 1t is a local tradition that at
that time Q799) the steps OF the building
were ricketty and trembling. When the Old
General alIghted from his carriage TO vote and was
about TO ascend the trembling stairway, the crowd
which had gathered to witness the election.
with one accord and with hands and shoulders
steadied the steps until he had passed up and re-
turned. The old watch house, ut the southeast
corner or the market Is the only one OF all the old
rounty buildings which remains. 1t was built for
the Fairfax County JAN in 174s and mt time last
century each corner OF 1t was adorned with tall
pike, on which was displayed the head of negro
executed for insurrection and murder. Apart from
the pccunary loss TO the city. there is very general
feeling OF sorrow among Aleyandrans at the OF
70 much associated with the lives or the citizens
Without the assistance OF the Washington Fire De.
partmen the loss would have been far greater tnan
II Is.
Work.
The Congressional Ku kiux Committee at their
meeting to-day adopted the following resolutions
Resolved, That for the present q subcommittee OF
eight members be appointed 10 proceed ut once
with the investigation and to continue the same
long they deem expedent, with authority to take
testimony wherever they consider II advisable, by
subcommittee or their own number, and TO report
ali testimony by them obtained TO the full commit
tee at meeting TO be held on the 2oth day OIL sep
TENDER next or at such earlier time as the sub
committee shall notify the Joint Select Committee
TO meet, at which time subcommittee shall have
visited all such localities IN the south as the com.
mittee first named shalfrcport to be In q disturbed
condition. ana such other localities as the committee
may deem necessary.
Committee be authorized to appoint SAID sub-com.
mittee OF which the chairmen OF the Senate and
House Committees shall be members, and that said
Two chairmen be authorized to ill any vacancy III
said subcommittee.
The following were appointed the sub-conmt.
tee:-
Senator Scott. chairman: Senators Foote and
Blair Representatives Poland, Coburn, Stevenson
Beck and Van Trump.
Resolutions were offered IN relation the rules 10
govern the taking of testimony, but the whole sub
Ject was postponed until the next meeting OF the
Joint Committee.
Mr.. Bayard offered resolution to RESTRICT the tcs-
timony 10 facts since the passage OF the Ku KluN
law.
This was voted down by party vote.
MIR. Cox wanted TO instruct the subcommittee to
call on the proper officers OF the several Southern
states for statements of the deots and taxes at the
present time, with copies OF the laws creating the
same.
The subject was referred 80 the sub committee.
me committee adjourned until the Goth of Septem.
ber unless sooner called together by the sub-com-
mittee
All the members of the committee We're prese mt
with the exception OF Representatives, Cook and
Robinson. both Of Illinois,
The sub-commttee win hold It's first meeting To-
morrow.
Movements Of the British ( nmissioncrr.
Earl DC Grey, accompanied Ivy Sir stafford North
Cote OF the Joint High Commission, visited the
Franklin schoolhouse IN this city to-day, and were
GENEROUSLY received and conducted through the
building by the trustees. the superintendent ana
the architect. This is the largest and most costly pub
Inc school edce in the District OF Columbia. The Wis.,
itors made many inquiries concerning the arrange
menf, architecture and cost or the eaince. They
witnessed the exercises Of the pupils in the
male grammar school, an when they reached the
female grammar school the talking propensIties
or the visitors developed and both the Earl
DE Grey and Sir stafford Norlhcote made BRIEF adj
dresses complimentary To the schools and acsnow-
iedgcd the superiority OF botn system ana manage
ment OF our public schools over those or England.
Earl De Grey IA in charge Of and has taken great in
rerest In the educational department OF England FOR
the past ten years.
The british High Commission have made their ar.
engagements for an carly dSparture from the coun.
try, having advertised that all claims against them
must DC delivered tomorrow, alter which time no
debts will be recognized.
Farewell Dinner 10 the Joint Bigh Commits
si0Dcrs.
Secretary Fish &c might entertained all the mem-