The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-18

able TO establish Western national armoy. Bat
when to them Ia added the fact that the Eastern por
ton OF the country has for SO many years enjoyed
monopoly OF these government manufactures, It sp
pears TO settle the question: and but two armories
are wanted to supply all the small arms Of the United
States, the removal Of enc of them westward seems
the best way OF efec ing the object The TOOLS ma
chinery and many OF the most costly parts requisite
for manufacturing, are not difficult Of transportation,
and may easily, and at but little cost be sent from
either Of the armores and set up in suitable build
lDgs previously constructed for the Western armOry
The transfer will thus leave government property
behind but the buildings. which may be usefuly ap.
piled to purposes OF private manufacture, and can,
doubtless, readily be disposed Of
The work for the extension of the capitol, which,
by your order OF the 23d Of March, was transferred
from the Department of the Interior to the War De.
Under the special charge Of Capt M. c. Megs Of the
Corps of Engineers and it gives me pleasure to bear
testimony to the manner in which that officer has
discharged his duty, fully sustaining his reputation
for professional zeal and fidelity He placed up
on this duty April A, 1858, and dire cted specially to
examine into the condition of the foundation which
bad been previously laid and infinitely to inquire into
the arrangements for warming, ventilating, speak.
ing and hearing
thorough examination Of the foundation was
made by excava.iDg down to the soil on which it
rested, and by cutting, at different points, through
the masonry. The result was report that less
hydraulic lime had been used than was desirable,
but that the strength OF the foundation was suffi
cent for the proposed structure. The arrangements
for ventilation and hearing were found satisfactory;
and these being the great objects Of the proposed
extension, certain attentions in the Fplans were de-
signed, and Board, composed OF Professors A. ID.
Bache and Jos. Henry, was commissioned May 20,
1853, to make inquiries upon acoustics and ventia-
tioD connected with the adopted plan and pro pos
ed alteration. The Board visited and made various
experiments in the principal public rooms of the
cities Of Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. After
further examination Of the various rooms visited,
and discussion of the phenomena presented, they
reported ON the oath Of June last, in favor Of the
notifications OF the plans Of the extension Of the
Capitola proposed by Capt. Meigs.
To construct a room of sufficient dimensions for
the House of Representatives so as to secure each
member the power to easily make himself heard
at every point Of the room, was an object Of such
high usefulness in legislation, and problem Of such
difficult solution as to require thorough investigation
with all aid art and science could lend; and in view
of the many unsuccessful attempts which have been
made in our own and other countries to attain that
result, success will be, in addition to its utility, an
object of just national pride.
In addition to this special object the notifications
proposed were believed other wise to increase the
convenience and facilitate the intercourse of the
houses OF Congress, and materially to add to the
architectural effect Of the bulning. As as the
plans submitted received your approval, the conse
qnen changes in the foundation walls were pressed
with all possible rapdity, and the work has since
then been steadily prosecuted without other delay
sonal interruptions in the delivering Of materials;
ard these have been overcome as far as might be,
by purchases in other markets, which could be made
available. The stain which appeared upon the
marble after it had been placed in the walls created
some anxiety, and specimens were submitted to
skiltul chemists for an analysis. The result gave
assurance that the discoloration would disappear;
and IN some instances observation has sustained
that expectation. This is the more gratifying, be-
cause the marble is Of most beautiful quality and
1t might OF baye been possible elsewhere to procure
material which would have correspoDded with it.
/ refer fer further details to the accompanying re.
port Of Captain Megs, and With view to the rapid
completion Of the bull ling, recommend to favorable
consideration the estimate presented by him for the
service of the year ending 30th June, 1855.
An appropriation was made at the last session of
Congress for the purpose OF bringing water into the
city OF Washington. In order to obtain an ample
and constant supply from source so elevated as to
avoid the necessity for the use Of machinery, it
was decided that tie water should be brought from
the great falls Of the Potomac, through an acque-
duct nine feet in diameter. Upon the adoption of
this plan immediate application was made to the
Legislature OF Maryland, III which State the source
CT supply lies for their assent to the proposed work
which being given On conditions readily complied
with, some portions of the necessary land were Sc
lected and purchased and as soon rs the season
would permit a considerable fore was put on the
work.
The works are estirr sed to cost rather less than
two million three huDdrsa thousand dollars, and when
completed, will be capable ot delivering nearly sew.
efty 1nnnour3lluns oi WAFER fay az an elevation oil
f,ulteeD feet above the upper floor OF the Capitol
Fer further information refer to the report of the
CHEF Engineer.
detm i necessary to invite attention to the
diicn o. The public building occupied by this depart
rent, which contains accoDmod atoms for less than
half its bureaus and not being fire proof, but on the
contrary, especially def Give III its construction does
no aOrd proper security to the papers and records
tie loss OF which would be irepsrable. The subject
has teen repeatedly urged upon the attention of Con-
gress by NY predecessors, and concur with them
az to the necessity Of procuring = fire proof building
OF Sufficient dime nsions for the accommodation of all
the business connected With this department.
To the accompanying reports Of the Commander
General OF the Amy, and the chiefs OF the several
branches of the military service, refer for full in
formation in relation to the duties with which they
are respectively charged. For that success which
attends the administration of army affairs we are in
small degree indebted to the ability, experience,
end good faith Of these officers, The report Of the
commanding general exhibits the distribution and
numerical stIeD 9Th Of the army, aud shows how dis
proportoDate our small military establishment is to
the duties required OF it. Professional skill zeal and
fCeity have done much 20 compensate for the want
OF numbers; but the increased privaton, toll, and
danger incident to service varied and extensive,
have greatly added to its list Of casualties during the
past year.
| have the honor to be. very respectfully, your
obedient servant JEFFERSON DAVIS.
To the PRESIDENT.
Supreme Court In Chambers.
Before Hon. Judge Mitchell.