Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-08-06
New Orleans Correspondence Of the Nat Intclgenccr
EXPENSES OF THE MEXICAN WAR.

The expenses with which this war is carried on
is truly Before the summer is over there
will probably have been from one to two millions of
dollars paid for the purchase or employment of
steam and sailing vessels. A customary charter
for steamboat to rim down from hence with troops
and stores is seven to eight thousand dollars and
they have recently been paying the for sailing
ships as transports, each taking from two hundred
to three hundred and fifty men. Gen. TAYLOR,
learn, has made requsit!on for wenty-four steam
boats, of which twelve fifteen are already pur-
chased. The expenses ofthe War Department for
the year 1916, with aggregate force in service
not exceeding thirty thousand men, including regu-
lars and volunteers, will be equal to the expenses
of the British War Department for regular army
scattered all over the world, of one hundred and
ten thousand men and three hundred general off
GERS! This, know, is rather startling, particu-
larly as we have been i'll the habit of considering
that every thing connected with the British army
IS conducted on scale OF great expense and show
1t certainly is most efficiently and completely main
tanned. But the fact nevertheless will be So and
If any one is disposed 70 deny it, refer him the
British army estimates and their ordinary annual
expenditure, and then to the estimates Of our De
partment, and the actual appropriations by Con-
gress, and the probable expenses Of the PRESENT
paign.
fit is asked how this can possibly be- reply, for
the want of any thing like proper system, organZa-
ton, checks and responsibility, well from the
lntNpeIlCIcC, anu want OF capacity
in large portion of those through whose hands the
business OF the army passes and it will always be
so whilst these political appointments made,
without any regard TO the general fitness and abili-
ty Of the parties. Every body having a contract
with the Government expects to make a fortune by
II, without being at all contented with ordinary pro
fits; and they are aLto,ced TO do 1t. Take, as
an example, the tents of the army on the goodness
OF which the health and comfort of the troops so
much depend | have not conversed with an officer
the subject who does say that they are mser-
able fimsy things and flimsy made of cotton stuff
which, even when new, will keep out neither sun
rain, and in tatters; and yet have not
the least doubt that the Government pays for them
higher price than first-rate linen canvass tent
made in the most complete manner, should cost
And so 1t is with every other kind of supplies fur
nlshed. There is much more system, accountable
ty, and infinitely less waste, in the navy
We shall probably in few days have interest
ing advices from the Pacific, presume there will
not be much difficulty in our squadron there taking
possession of Monterey and St. Francisco
Our business season is well closed. and, but for
the movement of troops and forwarding supplies
we should be very dull. Produce is low and dull
Corn, % to 80 cents flour, 81 75 mess pork 80
We may Judge OF the boased advantages OF the re-
peal Of the corn laws, when such prices rule here
right in face Of the advices of the passage of the
bill opening the British ports. Corn at the above
rates, after paying costs of sacks. freight &c. will
not leave more than 10 to IL cents per bushc to the
Western Farmer, and the expenses in flour in about
the same proportion. There never was such de-
cepton as the promised market for our brcadstuffs
IN England. Exchange is rather better sterling
o. to per cent; New York GO days, 2 per cent
Inc Government funds ordered here from the North
are being checked for at per cent discount, which
rs me most economical mode of placing them here.
ms loss is borne by the deposite banks, whose
Iangenent with the Treasury is TO transfer their
funds at par. AT present tho Government have
ample funds here, but they must continue to remit
heavily, as the daily ouly would otherwise soon ex-
haust the present supply.