The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-12-17


War; IN his annual report, states that the amount Of
public property committed to the sale keeping OF
his department is estimated at seventeen millions
Of dollars; and that it IS mostly deposited at the
national armories al Springfield, Massachusetts,
and at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. and IN twenty-three
national arsenals situated in various parts OF the
country In all these, there cannot be less than
million OF well finished muskets, 10 say nothing OF
the other "engines OF destruction" which meet you
at every turn.
The four main buildings in Springfield,
are large, three stories high, and built OF
brick There are three armories, so called,
and any quantity of workshops that can
be desired. In these Shops. the muskets pass
through every stage of manufacture, from the
rough state to their completion in the finishing
room where they receive their polish, and the last
touches of the best workmen in the establishment.
We were informed that in the three armones, there
were about one hundred thousand mushets, ready
for immediate use, and in the other buildings about
as many more-say two hundred thousand IN all
About twelve hundred perfect muskets are turned
out every month, or nearly twenty-five thousand per
annum. The number OF men employed Is two hun
bred and fifty: they work by the piece, and make
from 81 SO to So % per day, according to the skill
and talent displayed The bosses receive more.
Common laborers are paid ST per day
In the nefghbOrhood OF the workshops, there are
many handsome dwelling houses belonging to the
government, which are occupied by persons con-
nected with the public works; and about mile
from these. there is an additional building, with
powerful machinery, tor boring the muskets and
other purposes This machinery Is driven by water
power.
The workmen have full employment the whole
time. They are engaged on different parts OF the
muskets, some making one thing, and some another.
Before musket is completed, it has to pass through
dozen different hands. The strength OF every
barrel is well proved, before the musket passes from
the finishing shopt 10 the armory In one. OF the
rooms, we counted about thirty double and single
FORCES In full blast.
We advise such OF our readers as happen to spend
day in Springfield, TO visit the United States
works; and as they pass over the Worcester hall
road, they will see another public establishment, in
Watertown, five miles from Boston. This, also, Is
filled with muskets, cannon, and ammunition.
If, unfortunately, we have brush with john Bull,
on account OF the Oregon difficulty, and ne sends
fleet of fifty heavy war steamers across the ocean to
burn the city of Boston, all haths troops would have
to do, if they should ever get firm foothod in that
quarter, would be to Jump into an extra train OF cars
proceed to Watertown, burn the arsenal there, and
then dash onto Springfield, where they would find as
many muskets as they could conveniently manage.
They could burn the town OF Worcester on their
way, and plumber the banks both there and at Spring
proceed to Albany, the capital of the Empire
State" and after serving that in similar manner,
and destroying the United States arsenal at Water
Welt, they could return to Boston, re-embark, and
proceed elsewhere destroying the Western and
Worcester railroads on their downward trip. We
wonder if the considerable. humane, antbelhge-
rent, live-all-togeher in one-family editor Of the
Tribune has given this subject that serious conside-
ration which it so emnently deserves at his hands.
But, joking apart, it is evident that BUR govern
ment has no fears OF war with Great Britain,
growing out of the dispute on the Oregon question
Every sign from Washington indicates feeling Of
this kind on the part Of the President and his Cabi
net The Secretary of War, in his estimates for the
ensuing year, although he intlmates that the army
ought to be increased, asks for increase of only
tons Of former years and this is for arming forti
fcations, many of which, he says, on the sea.board
and Gulf of Mexico, are so far completed as to be
in readiness to receive their armament. The amount
now asked for will be needed to arm these forts, to-
gether with those in the course of construction ;
and The Secretary of the Navy is quite modest in
his demands as Gov. Marcy.