Alexandria Gazette

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY returned to Washington this morning, [Friday] from Norfolk, by way of Baltimore. The same steamer brought up from Norfolk a number of honest Jack tars. The Secretary has come back impressed with the most grateful and gratified feelings for the agreeable reception he met with in old Virginia. The "Norfolk Herald" of Thursday morning says:

"Mr. Bancroft, accompanied by Commodores Warrington and Shubrick, yesterday made a tour of inspection through the navy and dock yards at Gosport. The Secretary, we learn expressed the highest satisfaction at the excellent condition of the public works within that vast central establishment, the admirable location of which, for naval purposes, did not escape his observant eye.

Previous to his visit to Gosport, Mr. Bancroft was called on by a committee of the city councils, who apprized him of the wish of the corporate authorities of the city to pay their respects to him in a body, at such time as might suit his convenience to receive them. With a warm expression of his sense of the honor intended him, Mr. B. named 4 o'clock; at which hour the mayor, aldermen, and councils waited on him at his lodgings at French's hotel, and were severally introduced to him. The high literary as well as official rank of Secretary Bancroft seemed to justify this unwonted testimony of civic respect; and it is a grateful task to render honor to those who have shed lustre on the character of their country, whether by the pen or sword. Mr. Bancroft goes down in the steamer Star this morning to Fort Monroe, where he will remain till the evening, and then take passage in the steamer Osceola for Washington."