Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-24

| harmOnlse prOuuCNOn
firearms In the last supposed the Government
workshops would furnish the modts TO private conuac
tors and guide to establish the price which
should be paid whilst it would protect the Government
from being driven by its necessity TO submit TO exraor-
binary demands, and perhaps injurious delays
1t is believed that the excellence OF the Government
manufacture has not been quite equaed by those OF pm
yate contractors with all the advantages that now
exist in supplying models and inspectors Upon exam-
Of report made by the commander OF the arsenal
TO which the rifles of the vogeur regiment in the war
with Mexico returned it appears that OF the total
number 523 the 257 made at the national armory re-
CURED the repair of is Of their parts the 266 made by
contract required the repair of g of their
difference in favor Of the Government Of than
TWO to one The case is believed to be fair and to
present conclusive proof of the higher standard of mse
rial and workmanship in the Government arms.
1t is not known whether by the Of the term " all
the arms of the United States it was intended to in
clude the heavy guns cannon will however re-
mark that all cannon are made by contract Congress-
having made no provision for national foundry, and will
take this occasion to recommend appropriation for that
object The just admixture Of metals and the casting of
bronze pieces require much mechanical skill and little
scientific attainment The examination Of and the
casting OF into subject which has
ed much consideration from the ordnance department,
and presents wide field for further investigation and
pertinent. The rigid inspection which such guns
ceive has improved and is still imp rowing their quality;
but it is believed there would be rapid advance in
knowledge and higher standard Of excellence attained,
if the advantage of national foundry possessed.
The Secretary earnestly urges the establishment Of
national armory the Western watershs favorte pro-
position for the accomplishment of which purpose appear
ing be the the West of Of the arnores
already established
The Secretary concludes his Report by referring to the
improvements of the Government buildings and other
property in this city We copy that portion entire as
being of interest to oil of our readers
The work for the extension of the Capitol which by
your order of the Odd of March was transferred from the
Department Of the Interior the War Department has
bepn nroe with dua nuda tba
charge Of Captain NJ c. Megs Of the corps of engineers
and it gives pleasure to bear testimony the man
ner in which that officer has discharged his duty fully
sustaining his reputation for professional SKILL ZEAL aud
fidelity. He was placed upon this duty April 4, 1853
and directed specially to examine into the condition the
foundation which had been previously laid and infinitely
inquire into the arrangements for warming ventatng
speaking, and hearing
thorough examination of the foundation made
by excavatng down to the soil upon which it rested and
by cutting at different points into through the mason
ry The result report that less hydraulic lime had
been used than desirable but that the strength of the
foundation sufficient for the proposed structure. The
arrangements for ventilation and hearing found
satisfactory and these being the great objects sought
the proposed extension certain alterations in the plans
designed and board composed of Professors A. D.
Bache and Joseph Henry, commissioned May 20,
1853 to make inquiries upon acoustics and ventilation,
connected with the adopted plan and proposed atera
ton The board visited and made experiments in the
principal public of the cities of Philadelphia New
York. and Boston After full examination Of the various
visited and discussion Of the phenomena
ed they reported the oath June last in favor of the
notifications of the plans for the extension of the Capitol
as proposed by Captain Meigs.
To construct o of sufficient dimensions for the
House Of Representatives, to to each
Der the power easily to make himself heard from his seat
at every point in the room, object Of such high
usefulness in legislation, and problem of such difficult
solution, to require thorough investigation with all
the aids which science could lend and, in view Of the
many unsuccessful attempts which have been made in
and other countries attain that result
will be- in addition to its utility an object of just nation
al pride
In addition to this special object the notifications pro-
posed believed otherwise to increase the convent
and facilitate the intercourse Of the Houses of Con-
gress and materially to add to the architectural effect of
the building. AS the plans submitted received
your approval the changes in the foundation
walls pressed with all possible rapidty; and the
work has since then been steadily prosecuted without
other delay than that which has necessarily resulted from
occasional interruption in the delivery of material and
these have been far be by purchases
in other markets which could be made available The
stain which appeared upon the marble after il had been
placed in the walls created anxiety and specimens
submitted to skful chemists for analysis The
suits gave assurance that the dcooraton weud disap
pear and in instances observation has sustained
that expectation This is the gratifying because
the marble of most beautiful quality and it might
have been possible elsewhere to procure material which
would have correspondent with it.
refer for further details to the accompanying report
of Capt Meigs, and with a view rapid completion Of
the building recommend favorable consideration the
estimate presented by him for the service of the year end
ing 1856.
An appropriation made the last session of Con-
gres for the purpose o. bringing water into the city Of
Washington. In order to obtain ample and constant
supply from elevated avoid the necessi
ty for the of machinery, it decided that the wa
ter should be brought from the Great Falls Of the Poto-
mac, through conduit nine feet in diameter Upon the
adoption Of this plan, immediate application made
the Legislature of Maryland in which State the source Of
supply lies for their assent to the proposed work which
being given on conditions readily complied with, some
portions of the necessary land selected and pur
chased, and, the would permit, con-
considerable force put upon the work. The works
estimated to cost rather less than 50 000 and
when completed will be capable of delivering nearly
10000 900 gallons of water daily elevation of
teen feet above the upper floor Of the Capitol For
Their information and Details refer to the report Of the
Chief Engineer
deem it necessary invite attention to the condition
of the public building occupied by this Department,
which contains accommodations for less than half its
bureaus, and not being fire proof but the contrary,
especially defective in its construction, does afford
proper security for the papers and records
the loss Of which would be rreparabe This subject has
been repeatedly urged upon the attention Of Congress by
my predecessors, and with them to the
cessity Of providing reproof building Of sufficient di-
mansions to accommodate all the bureaus connected with
this Department.
To the accompanying reports of the Commanding Ge-
neral of the army and the chiefs of the several branches
of the military service refer for full information in
ation to the duties with which they respectively
charged. For the which attends the admnistra
ton Of army affairs in small degree indebted
to the ability, experience and good faith of these Off
GERS. The report of the Commanding General exhibits
the distribution and numerical strength of the army and
shows how disproportionate small military establish
ment is to the duties required Of it, Professional skill
,na1n nI E1nnG - L.