The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-06

! The iron trade is one Of those which is the
slowest IN recovering itself. In l849, the iron
works manufactured 425 900 tons OF cast iron in
value about 81 millions, and 275,0O tons of
wrought iron, amounting in value TO about 81 mil
lions At the present time the activity of these es-
adjustments appears to be reviying.
Studies are being followed up with the most per-
severing care in order to place at the DISPOSAL OF
agriculture the means of irrgating and clearing
land. The liberty of land carriag :, which, by a
recent bill, We have proposed to establish will al
so be real benefit for agriculture and commerce
in general.
The effective strength Of the army, which, in
June, l849, amounted to Ash 900 men and %, 754
horses, is now only 396, 900 men and 81 400 hors
es' ana It will soon within the limits of the
budget where 1t will be maintained if political af
fairs will allow oft.
Inc navy mas been maintained on a respectable
footing, Notwithstanding the reductions command
ed by the budget. Foreigners have borne testi-
mony 10 the hne organization Of our fleet assem-
bed at Cherbourg. Our maritime force is only
composed of l25 vessels, instead Of 235, which we
had in active service in 1S4S. 1t employs % SCI
men, instead of 90 1891 in that year The present
effective strength imperfectly suffices for the pro-
lection of French interests in the different parts Of
the globe The spirit of our seamen is excellent,
and their devotedness equal to any trial. The
workmen of our arsenals, enlightened by expert
ence, have resumed their labors with activity, and
we can point out the following important ones -
AT Cherbourg, the breakwater, the new arsenal,
the fort DIES Flamands, and the digging out Of the
back dock. AT Touon, the deepening Of the
roadsead, the fifth part Of which is already COM
Pleted at Oleron, the building of fort Bayard for
the protection of the roadstead Of the lie d'Aix.
AT Fort Vendres, every thing that is necessary to
offer sure refuge to the fleet and at Marsees,
the new dock.
The colonization of Algiers is progressing.
The work of colonization progresses the forty
two agricultural colonies distributed in our three
provinces, may, with time, become fine establish
ments. European population Of lis 900 inhab-
itans, spread over 1873 towns and villages-ll 900
colOnlsts have erected buildings, the actual value
of which fourteen millions-shows progress
which, hope, will not relax. Our means Of COM
municaton comprise an extent Of 1850 kilometres
(3,344 miles.) Our Geographic lines are COM
posed of sixty-four stations, and will shortly be
completed by thirty additional ones. The insau-
brity of the climate lessons every day; nearly 5000
hectares OF swamps have been drained. The fruit
fulness of the land has been increased by the dig
ging Of $50 900 metres Of canals for irrigation and
$4,000 drains, 10000 metres Of aqueducts or con-
duits supply our towns with water. Nearly 900
edfces OF different kinds have been built up to
this time. The important works in the port of
Alg,ers are in active progress. The adminisra-
ton has been Informed Of Il considerable quantity
ofveins Of minerals, which will shortly contribute
to the riches OF Algeria and the mother country.
The cultivation Of tobacco, Of the mulberry, Of
cotton, has considerably developed itself; the
trade in wool already amounts to thirty -six mil
lions, and that in skins, twenty millions.
Immense works Of defence, barracks for 10000
men, hospitals for 5000 sick, guarantee the safety
Of our conquest and the comfort of our army, from
the ncessant fatigues arising from the important
part they take in all the great works Of which we
ha nj shaken The will NEGLECT nothing
to promote the prosperity Of the colony.
The message admits that the French West
India Islands are following the fortunes of the
British, since emancipation. The production is
declining.