The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-30
BY THE SOUTHERN MAIL.
Warrington.
Correspondence Of the Herald
WAsHINGToN Ian d


Correspondence of the Herald
WASHINGTON, Jan. -, 1874.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, ESQ.,
DEAR SIR
Although this is dies non in the way of legisla-
ton, IT Is not in the way Of excitement and curosi-
ty. Two topics are now exciting the public mind
at Washington-frst, the uncertainties. the mystic
res, the possibilities and the probabilities of
dry duels growing out Of the late emeutes in the
House of Representatives, of which probabilities,
&c. can give you no positive information. The
subject is still open TO curiosity and excitement.
The next topic of curiosity and excitement is
the movements of Captain Stockton. Every one
is asking "Is he here % "Where does he stop ?'
What is he doing ~ "What is he going to do 2"
Where is his PRINCETON" When is she COM
guns p The ladies' inquire If 'lhere no danger Of
breaking their nerves." And the landlords inquire
"fthere is no danger of breaking their windows e.
The champagne drinkers inquire, if it is possible
that the Captain really intends to quench the thirst
not only Of the people of Washington, go, 900
ssrong). but of the members Of Congress also,''
CTS, all to!d:) The members from the West in
qulre, elf 1t IS fact that the Princeton
with her "two contingent friends the "Peace-
maker and the "Oregon,'' (word of omen) are
really able, the Captain asserts, to knock the Br-
that event they are determined to pack off Captain
Packenham back to England, and employ Captain
Stockton's " Peacemaker' to settle the boundary
OF Oregon, while Captain Tyler shall look on and
see fair play.
But must not fill my letter with unanswered
questions, nor will now proceed to answer the
multitude of them which are asked by both
the people of Washington, and the members of Con
gress, who are anxious for information upon sub
ject which so much concerns the national welfare.
But give notice that some grave and important
facts, not hitherto published, have come to my
knowledge respecting certain Improvements, and
lecture, all Of which will be published exclusively,
in the columns OF the Herald at the earliest possible
moment.
Captain Stockton is here, stopping at Gadsby's.
He leaves this afternoon for Princeton but will re-
turn here again upon the arrival of the Princeton,
which is expected about the last OF this week
The Captain will make some grand exhibitions of
his corvette sloop-of-war Princeton-show off her
paces-ilustrate her powers of walking-(which
are considered rather tall'')-her powers of talk
ing, (Which are considered rather losd)-and her
powers of arguing with the target, (Which are con-
During Mr. Van Buren's administration law
was passed ordering three steam figatess 10 be con-
strncted The Mississippi and Missouri only were
mended that the third should be built according to
Capt Stockton's plan; and for that purpose an ap-
preparation was passed in the House of Represen-
tatives, but cut off in the Senate.
Mr.. Badger, Gen. Harrison's Secretary of the
Navy, then acting under the law authorizing the
construction of four medium steamers, ordered
Capt >. TO build the Princeton Dut by that au-
horty could not allow her to made larger than 600
tons, which is only one third OF the size originally
proposed by Capt 5.
This statement shows how erroneous the opinion
is, that the Princeton was ordered by President
Tyler, at the suggestion OF Capt. s., or that per-
mission to construct her was an equivalent for the
support afforded by Capt. S. SO uniformly to the
present administration. 1t is enough to say that II
there were any favoritsm shown by Mr.. Badger,
much mere of it was shown to Lieut.. Hunter than
to Capt. Stockton for Lieut.. H was ordered to
build the Union at the same time that Capt. Stock
being only of 625 tons, while the Union was of 10
or 1900 tons. The Union was launched some
eighteen months before the Princeton, and has al
ready cost an enormous expense beyond the Orlgl-
nal estimates, in addition to being laid up as an
entire failure AS to the Princeton, she has AREA
dy, with her steam alone, beaten one of the swift
est steamers of the ocean; and Capt Stockton Of
fers to bet $4,000, that with her sails alone, she
can also beat any other sailing vessel of her class
ahoat. With such mathematical skill has she been
constructed and finished throughout that not SIN
gle bolt has been drawn, nor pin altered, since
she put her foot in the water.
From the triumphant success which has attended
Captain Stockton's ingenuity, enterprise, and per-
severance the construction of the corvette
Princeton understand that he will shortly be
ordered to construct trgate upon the same model,
carrying four of the Captains talking irons, and OF
which frigate he will himself be required to take
the command And when this frigate is finished,
the Captain will be ready himself to negotiate a
at the mouth of the Columbia, or at the mouth OF
the "Channel," whichever may best suit the British
admiralty. AT present, all the Captain desires OF
President Tyler is, that he will on no account re-
lnquish to the British enough Oregon soil even to
plant mustard seed inland If there is any loud
" talking" to be done. Just send a messenger and
let him know Yours, &c. S. B.
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