The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-02-11
THE SOUTHERN MAIL
Washington.
WASHINGTON, Sunday, Jan. 9th. ls

WASHINGTON, Sunday, Jan. 9th, ls45
Oregon and Te1as-PoUder and Saltpstre- The
Amount of Po,cder in the Cowntry-New York
Senators
JAMES G.. BENNETT, ESQ -
The passage OF the bill for the territorial occupa-
ION OF Oregon, IN accordance with the existing
reaty OF Great Britain, has given rise to much spe-
culation as TO the action of the British Parliament
on the reception OF the news from this country.
Will they resist at once, or suppress hostility to
prepare for resistance? The latter is the most pro-
bable, and therefore the necessity OF preparation
Tor defence. BY the recent report Of w. M. Crane,
Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, made to the Sc
cretay of the Treasury, it appears that the average
consumption of powder for the last four years, at
sea, and Shore for all purposes, has been the
rate OF l,642 barrels, and that we now have on
hand Tor the supply of the Navy department
ut this great nation but 1900 barrels OF
this necessary article for the naval defence
ut our coast and harbors. The materials for
the manufacture OF round shot, shells, cylin-
ders, musket ball, cartridges, &c, are within
our own borders, but for the manufacture of pow
der we are dependant upon foreign nations, al
most Immediately under the direction and control
OF Great Britain. Saltpetre, one of the most me-
cessary ingredie nts. comes from India, and brm.
stone from the Medienanea the control of which
rests with the power of Great Britain 1t is well
known TO every practical man that powder, after a
sea voyage, becomes destroyed Of its virtues, and
all left is passed upon as" condemned !" The only
remedy yet found for this wholesale destruction OF
he " MATERIAL for defence, ia Colts tin-foil
cartridges, the efficacy OF which has been tesfed
and decided upon by the Naval and Militia Com
mittees Of Congress. The only obstruction to the
passage OF bill 10 secure the government This va
liable improvement is the delay of the sanction Of
The Committee of Ways and Means, of which Mr..
Mckay, Of North Carolina, ia chairman No man
doubts his patriotism his Judgment but his anx-
iety to prevent unnecessary expenditure has re-
tarded positive action, which in the end may prove
disastrous to the nation, both in a pecuniaIy and
preserved by the invention of Mr.. Colt, let our 60
vernment possess itself of this knowledge forth
with. 1t the remuneration of Texas, or the eccu-
patton Of Oregon will produce hostility from Great
Britain, let US preserve the sinews of war; now
IN our land, and trust to the powers OF genius, and
Colonel Webbfor future supply of salfpetre.
One OF the most distinguished of the Maine To-
co.'s has shown me a budget of letters received
since the news was received there of the passage
OF the annexation question through the House.
The simitude,. or rather universally, of senti-
public show that Texas is great American ques-
ton. Hamlin, Herrick, Dunlap and White are de-
nounced from one end of the State to the other.
The solitary and alone :" member is Shepherd
Cary. from Aroostook. plain, practical, stubborn,
| honest, blunt, but powerful man. Neither the in
iluence OF Benton, nor Wright, nor Fairfield, nor
| all the old Hunkerism combined, could effect him;
and he spoke and voted for annexation. It will not
be strange II he be the next Governor Of that Stale.
| Mr. Fosters letter to the Richmond Enquirer has
| created much excitement. His expose OF the mo-
| tive which governed the anti-Texes Democrats in
Congress, will bury the National Conservatives in
| MIR. Folks estimation. The most powerful OPP
position is being made against the appointment
| OF Mr. Flagg, Gone of the Secretarles,) as Post
master General, although it is doubtful whether it
will succeed. 1t is said that Ex-President Van
Buren, has intimated to Mr.. Polk that this is the
only personal favor he will ask. No one doubts
Mr. Flagg's capacity for the station, but the object
sought to be obtained from it, is questionable
the eyes OF Mr.. Folks real friends. Il was gen.
orally supposed, Gas the Hon. r. D. Davis, of New
York, had stated that Mr.. Dickinson would be de-
eated tor Senator,) that Samuel Young would be
elected in his place Greatinterest and excitement
| were exhibited by the Texas members, until the
arrival of the Herald giving information that Dick
lnson was elected for the six years. Coeman's
bar room-and Browns, and Fuler'-indeed d, all
| the bar-rooms of the town, were thronged; and,
at the drinking of each gin cack tail, loud cheers
were given for Texas and Dickinson God help,
for the devil will grab, the democrat who opposes
Texas.
am astonlshed at the peculiar position of Mr..
Wright at this time, in the public estimation here.
My opinion is that he is nationally dead The editor
OF prominent western paper has just informed me
that II was his mention, as 1t was that OF many OF
his western coadu,ors TO raise the flags OF Wright,
Of N. York, for President and Butler, of Kentucky,
as Vice President; but now, he and his frlends-the
whole west and south-west-were perfectly salts
ned that no opponent OF annexation can be the
candidate OF the west southwest for the Presl-
dency.