The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-12

Interesting Intelligence from Wash,ns,o,,.

Interesting Anteuagencs from Washington.
WASHINGTON, April 8, 1917
Our -frmy at Vera C,uz-IAe Future--7xs Co.-
tract for the Mail Stsamers--IRs Dock at Pen
sacola-F'alse Rumors-Ihe Opening Of the
Loan.
Some OF the papers are alarming Themselves
about the health of our troops who will be left
to garrison Vera Cruz. The apprehension that
they will be carried of by the vomito is gratui-
tous, as il is not intended to garrison Vera Cruz
The garrison will be in the Castle Of San Juan
de Ul1a, which is healthy, and which can always
command the city. The head quarters will be At
Jalapa Gen. Worth will probably take and oc-
cupy Cordova, for the purpose of guarding the
Southern road from Puebla, and detaehmeas
will defend the National Bridge across the river
Antigua, over which passes the road from Vera
Cruz to Jaapa. Jalapa and Cordsva are both
healthy II Cordova be too much exposed. OH
zaba, twelve or fifteen miles further. might be
occupied. From this poiut, after the troops shall
be refreshed, Gen. Worth, If it be deemed .d-
visable, might conduct his operations against
Puebla, while the commanding General mich,
proceed to the reduction of Perote At the for.
mer place the forces might be concentrated, and
so proceed TO the capital, where they will be
~
Potosi
1t will be seen that the approaches to Vera
Cruz being thus guarded, and the guns of the
Castle constantly pcinting into il, no garrison
Will be required. The squadron will be relieved
from the tiresome duty of keeping guard over the
Castle, and will have leisure to operate on other
parts of the coast. twill thus escape al hazard
of the plague The army will also be removed
from its influence. These arrangements exhibit
foresight and management worthy the highest
praise.
The difficulties in the way Of the contract
between Mr.. Sloo and the Government for build
ing the mail steamers contemplated by the act Of
Congress Of the 3rd March last, have been en-
tlrely overcome. Mr.. Sloo has agreed 10 adopt
the specification of the steamship Missouri, which
was one Of the best vessels ever built, exhibiting
an almost perfect combination of strength and
speed The specifications sent in by Mr. Collins
are also highly satisfactory, and there is every
reason to believe that both lines will attain the
highest point of success. The annual sum grant
ed them by government is very liberal, and the
contractors are men in whom the public have
full confidence.
1t is enormously stated in Washington paper,
that the Secretary of the Navy has decided in
favor of a sectional dock for Pensacola. The
Secretary has made no decision. He is q,
present organizing board to decide upon the
merits of the several kinds of dock submitted to
him. Nobody will be appointed a member OF
this board who now holds, or has at any time
expressed an opinion, of the comparative merits
Of either of the competing inventions. The act
of Congress gave this contract to be scrambled
for by few individuals-the patentees of the
different descriptions Of floating dock. Had the
Secretary, before advertising for proposals,
awaited the decision of the board in favor OF
some description Of floating -dock, he would
have given monopoly to one man, who
might charge an exorbitant price for his dock.
knowing there could be no competition On
the other hand, by inviting proposals in i'd
vance Of the deliberations OF the board he obliges
the competitors to name reasonable price, w
cheapness, although not paramount considers.
ton, will still have some weight in the delibera-
tons and decision Of the board. Each compe,i-
tor wi be check on the other; whereas, if the
board decided upon one particular description Of
dock, the patentee would have no check but his
conscience, possibly an unsafe and doubtful
curb.
The rumor of contemplated change in the
War Department is entirely baseless. II is not
in the hacknied language of laudation I say, tho
country cannot spare Mr.. Marcy from his post.
There has not been the remotest idea OF a
change, either on his part or that of the Preei-
dent. Mr.. Marcy is not among those mentioned
for selection as commissioners, in the event Of
the appointment of peace commission -
proceed to Mexico.
There is number Of capitalists in this city at
present, principally from New York, Boston and
Philadelphia. The proposals for the loan are TO
be opened tomorrow by the Secretary Of the
Treasury. GALvIsSsIs.