This volume, thirty-first in the series, contains abstracts about the people of this period; the loss of 425 people in the great disaster of the steamship Central America; General Walker's expedition; longevity; trial of Colonel Edwin V. Sumner; extensive coverage of the heirs of Eliz Spencer; appointments by the President; marriage and death notices; criminal cases; all petitions to Congress relating to a person or persons; legal notices; chancery records; and much more. Where there is information about something or someone that might be of interest, an abstract was created. The newspaper reveals a personal side of the lives of many people. During the author's twenty-four years of research on her own family genealogy, she always wanted to read the National Intelligencer and bring to print the many stories found there. They can be found in this series. These abstracts are a great aid to finding locations, ages or relationships of ancestors in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and many other places. Names of people in the news in these locales, as well as items or events which might provide a clue to an individual's location, age or relationship to others, are included. The author has organized the abstracts chronologically to make finding specific dates easier. All surnames, land tracts and vessels are included in the index.