The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-03-29
WASHINGTON. March n, 1886

WASHINGTON, March n, 1876.
The democratic members OF the Senate held q
caucus yesterday at the CAPITOL and agreed to close
the debate upon the Oregon question, on Friday
next There was full attendance of them there
and il il also understood that many OF the wings in
the same body. have agreed to suspend all discus.
| sion on the subject on the same day.
In addition to the information given you in my
letter of Monday last, that Mr.. McLane informed
the Secretary OF State of Engands intention not to
move any more in making propositions to this gov.
eminent for the adjustment Of our territorial claims
in Oregon he, as well as Mr.. King, our Minister
at Paris, and Mr. Armstrong, our Consul at Liver
pool have likewise informed the President that the
people in their respective regions, astonished at
the apathy that prevails in this country on the SUBJ
ect OF providing agai INST hostile movement by Eng
land against u.s. while she is armlng herself to the
teeth for the first occasion that may call for the ex
srcise Of her military power.
Upon the subject of satpetre, and other materials
| for warlike operations, have been informed that
there Is full supply on hand in the government
senals; and that the military committees Of both
Houses do not consider II necessary to call tor any
appropriations at present TO procure an additlona
| supply. When they make their reports, which vii
| be very soon now, they may require the manning
and mounting Of all our fortresses along our sea-
board and lake frontiers; but beyond that they seem
difficulty whatever of raising 100000 men in a
month"; If the occasion call for 1t and this force, OF
greater il required, il at all times in readiness in
the ranks Of volunteer companies, atevery place
the estlmates sent in to the naval committees, by
the Secretary Of the Navy, for an increase In that
branch OF the service, amount to some forty or nifty
millions of dollars. He requires the building OF
about thirty or forty steamers but it Is doubtful
whether the naval committees will venture upon
recommendation to Congress Of 60 large an expen-
dlture Of the public money, until euffcient cause
first presents itself to warrant them IN dong 1t.
have succeeded in obtaining copy, in extsnso,
of the Belgian treaty. which the Senate ratified yes
terday II is herewith enclosed TOR publication, Tor
the benefit Of your commercial readers MI. Charles
Serruys late Charge d. Afaires from Belgium, will
leave here on Monday next, or perhaps sooner, on
his return to his own country. He carries with him
the affections Of large circle OF distinguished as
well Of private friends, for the urbaniy and gem
tIemanly department which he has observed to-
wards all classes and parties this country, during
his soiourn here. Mr. Serruys il very strict MEM
Der Of smother Churcn," and showed, by his con-
slant attendance Sundays at her service that he
possessed greater degree OF common sense than
most Of the men who move Ia high life, and who
think they pay tribute to intelligence and literature
by undertaking. the obligations OF religious and
moral life. 1t is due to Mr.. Serruys to say this
much for him on the eve Of his departure from
among US; and although express my own views OF
what have come under my notice concerning HIM
in this respect, all here who have known him, o.
whatever political party or religious creed, VIII
readily concur in what have stated. ~.
The members Of the House Of Representatives
have been practcingaarget shooting, of and on, for
a week past, with Jenks' patent carbine. The spot
selected for this sort Of exercise, 10 directly west o
the Government stables, being range clear across
the common to the Potomac.
In order to show you some OF the advantages
which this carbine possesses over every other sor
Of gun now in use, shall give you few details o
its qualities, derived from the most authentic sourc
es. First, the United States musket now in use
weighs l0A lbs jerks carbine complete, only g.
lbs. In one Of the experiments lately made by
board Of officers il was found that no other injury
to the piece was sustained, after firing it $50 times
than the opening Of the stock in the vicinity OF the
lock- about one-ffth Of an inch One Of tine soldiers
fred about seven-eighths Of the 4500 discharges,
and expressed belief that he could fire from Nv 20
1000 times day without fatigue This carplnG can !.
be fired 100 times without cleaning Inc I9cs ~
very simple, having only seven pieces N IT. ana .nIec
Of them screws Il has been fired zoo tIme =, w,c.
mis-snap II will drive halt ounce pail mroIgn az
half inch oak plank 900 feet distant, WIN 9nly 20
grains Of powder. 1t oan BE- loaded ana 0iscnsisso