confidence with which he had always relied upon the volunteer

service.

The events of the day were closed with some beautiful fireworks from the Capitol Square and Gamble's Hill, and a splendid Masonic Ball at the Union Hotel.

We should not omit mentioning that during the march of the different military corps, and at intervals during the ceremonies on the Square, inspiring martial and other airs were performed by the celebrated Old Point Band, which had come up to the city under the orders of General Bankhead, and also by the fine bands of the Public Guard and the Blues.

Amongst the troops we were happy to see two excellent Volunteer Companies from Petersburg.'

THE FAREWELL ADDRESS.

The sale of the original MS. of the Farewell Address of Gen. Washington to the people of the United States took place last evening, at the Philadelphia Exchange. It has been bound up in a neat volume, and contains with it a statement by Mr. Claypoole of the manner in which he became possessed of it. It was stated by Mr. Thomas, the auctioneer, that Mr. D. C. Claypoole left no lineal heirs, and his collateral descendants are scattered over the country; the estate is also involved, and there was no other course for the administrator than to sell the MS.. which was appraised as personal property. The document was then put up for sale, and started with a bid of five hundred dollars. It ran up to twenty-three hundred dollars, where it lingered for a period, and was then knocked down to the Rev. Dr. Henry D. Boardman, pastor of the 12th Presbyterian Church in this city. It was announced that he purchased it "for a gentleman living at a distance." (Mr. Lennox of New York.)

Afterwards, the original portrait of Washington, by James Peale, painted for Mr. Claypoole in 1778, was also put up, and bought by Dr. Boardman, for the same gentleman on whose account the MS. was purchased.

A volume of the "Daily Advertiser," containing the Address, was also sold for $12. These all belonged to the Claypoole

estate.

A MS. letter of Washington to General Mifflin, dated 4th April, 1784, was also put up for sale, on account of whom it might concern. It was a mere letter of introduction, requesting the usual civilities by Gen. Mifflin to Count de Lavalette Montmorency, brother of the Duc de Montmorency, who was

travelling through the United States. It brought $20, and was purchased by a gentleman named Bickley.

The attendance was large, and much curiosity was manifested as to the price the various relics would bring.-Ledger.

THE MEDICAL COLLEGE.

The Annual Commencement of this institution was held in the Hall of the College, on Tuesday evening, the 19th ult. with the usual ceremonies, and with gratifying effect. A large and brilliant company was present on the occasion. The Rev. Mr. Dibrell, of the Methodist church, made the introductory prayer, after which the Dean announced the names of the candidates, and the Rev. Dr. Green, President of Hampden Sidney College, conferred the degrees on the following gentlemen:

H. Singleton Belt, of Powhatan; Cornelius C. Broaddus, of Caroline; Thomas J. Cheatham, of Chesterfield; Apollos A. Davis, of Albemarle; Burns J. Ellis, of Essex; Wm. B. Evans, of Granville, N. C.; John F. Gardner, of Massachusetts; Robert H. Gordon, of Norfolk city; Addison Hall, Jr., of Lancaster; James T. Hambleton. of Pittsylvania; Loyd W. Jones, of Dinwiddie; Samuel Kennerly, Jr., of Augusta; George R. Lybrook, of Giles; Wm. G. McGruder, of Powhatan; Algernon S. McRae, of Powhatan; Henry A. Morgan, of Gates county, N. C.; Hugh Nelson, of Mecklenburg; James M. Norwood, of Warren county, N. C.; Edward D. Phillips, of Nansemond; Robert H. Robertson, of Augusta; Robert W. Starke, of Hanover; James M. Taliaferro, of Nelson; Wm. J. Waller, of Williamsburg; Richard H. Watkins, of Nottoway.

The gold medal for the prize essay was presented to Samuel Kennerly, Junr. of Augusta county.

Dr. Green now delivered the Valedictory Address to the graduating class, (in which he paid some haudsome and some rather flattering compliments to the medical profession,) and was followed by Dr. Gibson, who added a few parting words to the young doctors, in his usual graceful style.

We are happy to see and hear that this useful and meritorious institution is in a prosperous state, and we trust that it will continue to be duly supported and encouraged by all our citizens.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

This body closed its labors on Friday the 22d ult. after a protracted session, having passed a considerable number of bills, some of which, we may hope, will promote the public

weal. Among these, we are particularly gratified to notice the liberal act to encourage the voluntary emigration of our Free People of Color to Liberia; which may be regarded as very clearly aud substantially expressive of the true sentiment and proper policy of our State on this interesting subject.

The act also to take the sense of the People upon the call for a Convention, and providing for the same, may lead to the most important results.

THE GOLD CHAIN FOR MR. WEBSTER.

We saw, on Saturday, a chain of California gold, which is to be presented to Mr. Webster in acknowledgment of his eminent services in the cause of the Union of the States. It is from a resident of California, a State whose applicatiou for immediate admission into the Union Mr. Webster has promised to advocate, with all the weight of his powerful influence. The chain is of pure gold, of a value exceeding four hundred dollars as it came from the mines. Its workmanship reflects much credit on Californian skill. It was manufactured for the donor Mr. George W. Eggleston, at San Francisco.-N. Y. J. of Com,

THE DEATH OF MR. CALHOUN.

We regret to record that the Hon. John C. Calhoun, a Senator of the United States from the State of South Carolina, died at his lodgings in Washington, on Sunday morning the 31st ult., in the 69th year of his age.

Mr. C. has been so long before the public eye, and has filled so large a space in the public estimation, that his death cannot be noted without a feeling of deep regret. It has come upon us, too, by something like surprise, for though we knew that he had been seriously ill, we had heard that he was recovering from his immediate prostration, and was likely to live for some time. We could not apprehend, moreover, at least we could not exactly realize, that such a man-so ardent, so active, so intellectual, would die like one of ordinary mould. But alas! for our fallacious hopes-he is indeed no more. He has fallen on his "high place," and has left us nothing to console us for his loss but the remembrance of his eminent virtues, and splendid talents, and public services-all condensed in his famewhich is now the precious inheritance of his State, and of his Country for ever.

South Carolina will naturally mourn and miss him most, and will doubtless enshrine his body in her hallowed soil, with all the honors which she can lavish upon his tomb. But other States-and our whole Union-will sympathize with her in this fond and grateful tribute of honor to the dead.

Even those who, not unreasonably perhaps, doubted and distrusted the tendency (if not the intention) of his peculiar views, will now unite with the rest in acknowledging and extolling all that was truly laudable and admirable in the character and conduct of him who is no more.

THE OYSTER WAR.

On Friday last, the 29th ult., the Artillery Company, Lieut. F. Riddick commanding, with a number of citizens, amounting in all to about seventy-five men, all under command of the Sheriff of the County, (Col. Hugh H. Kelly,) proceeded to the mouth of Nansemond River, in the Steamer Sun, for the purpose of arresting those who were violating the laws of the Commonwealth, relating to Oysters in the County of Nansemond. Having arrived at the "seat of war"—the "Spit," and the force, "armed to teeth," formed in battle array in as good order as possible, the steamer "rounded to" and "brought up" in the midst of the fleet of vessels there violating the law, when the order to "board" was given, and in less than half an hour twelve vessels were captured, and about seventy-five men taken prisoners! without the firing of a single gun!! The vessels were put under charge of men from the company, and sailed for Suffolk, where they arrived on Saturday. This is the greatest Naval victory on record!

The offenders were examined on Saturday before Benjamin Riddick, Esq., and the Captains were mulct in the sum of $33.50 each the fine, costs, and expenses of arrest. R. H. Riddick, jr., for the Commonwealth. R. H. Prentiss and Jas. E. Jinkins for the prisoners.-Suffolk Intelligencer.

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THE GOLD MINES.

The Gold Mines in Virginia are represented to be in full operation now, and with the aid of good machinery some of them are producing fair results. The White Hall Mines continue to yield handsome profits, and the "Woodville Mine, owned by Col. John P. Adams, of Baltimore, is becoming very productive." Some others also are doing well.-Baltimore Sun.

THE STATE OF EUROPE.

By the last steamship, Europa, we have the news from Liverpool to the 23d ult.-but there is nothing of much interest in the intelligence from the old world. We select some items:

The

In England-the Chancellor of the Exchequer has presented his budget for the ensuing year, announcing a surplus of nearly two and a half millions, but the manner in which that surplus had been disposed of, is not satisfactory to the country. Ministers are said to hold office by a very precarious tenure. In France-the elections have passed off quietly, and order reigns thoughout the republic, at present.

The Patrie, which is looked upon as a semi-official paper, intimates that the government, will adopt prompt and efficient means to restrain the ultra democratic party.

In Germany-a Congress of the Sovereigns of Germany will be held at Dresden, in April, for the purpose of consultation relative to the affairs of Germany. The Emperor of Austria, and the Kings of Hanover and Saxony are to be present.

Miscellany.

LITERARY MINUTES.

THE PHENIX.

An old play-wright, I see, Sir Richard Fanshaw, calls the fable of the Phenix an "odoriferous lie." A strange expression this, and rather a hard term, I think, to apply to one of the most beautiful fictions of poetic power. The Phenix is, indeed, me judice, the very sweetest invention of the creative faculty, the brightest offspring of imagination, that I know. Only thinka self-renewing bird, dying only to live again, and brighter than ever,-constructing her own funeral pyre, and that a sort of altar, fragrant with all manner of sweet spices-expiring, or seeming to expire, in a blaze of aromatic perfumes, but anon putting out her wings again, fresher and finer than ever-and soaring away