Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-08-10
The West Point Chain.

blsnops OerrcK nae been employed LOT some Tim
past IN attempts to the massive chain whic
stretched across the Hudson river at West Poin
during the Revolution, TO prevent the passage @
British vessels above that place. The Newburg Tel
egraph has an article showing what are the result
attained 1t says
Two distinct chain nimpedments were thrown acros
the river; the first being simple massive chair
which was placed across the river in the vicinity o
Fort Montgomery before the passage of the British
fleet up the river, aud which was broken and recov
cred and the second chains of different construction
which placed al West Point after the return
OF the British fleet, and through which passag &c
was never subsequently attempted.
The history of these chains is somewhat obscured
but the success which has attended the operations o
Bishops derrick, has discovered interesting
facts the subject. The first thing raised from the
bottom of the river, by the derrick, portion OF
the chains and floats composing the last obstruction
embracing nine of the massive !ine and connections,
and of the floats to which The chain was attached
This ecovery shows the precise manner of the l.
struction of this chain obstruction, which has
been historically written. The obstruction consisted
OF two chains across the river connected with the
bank by four other massive chains two each side.
The CHAINS across the river were supported by logs
floats about two feet in diameter and nineteen feet
long, with three links of the chain at each end be-
tween the floats. rope ladder presents the idea of
the manner in which the obstruction was made bet
Ter probably, than anything else. The weight of the
chains must have been immense, as the links now,
although the action of the water for seventy years
cOrroded and worn them away, are about two inches
square in the bars. The links are about Is inches
long and inches broad and secured to the floats
! by heavy iron collars around the ends. The light
| of the chains-the historical idea is chai,l-must
have been something like 10000 pounds, indepen-
lent of the floats. This calculation based on the
statement of MIR. Sims, above referred to, that each
link averaged 1929 lbs, and that l,70O feet of chain
would be required at each end of the floats
| The prospect of recovering any considerable por
of Ootv Hat Tho
tion recovered was close in shore but the great
depth of the water in the channel CGO teeD would
seem to render further efforts useless.
The portion of the chains and floats recovered have
been purchased by Mr.. Carter, and deposited at the
Head Quarters House, where they may be examined.
They the greatest curiosities which we have ever
had brought to our attention.
Sir James Graham accused of Treason.
The sub joined correspondence was read at meet.
ing of the Sheffield committee for investigating for.
eign affairs held at the Council Hall of the town
The occasion motion requesting Mr. RoebuCk,
the member for Sheffield to move the appointment of
committee TO inquire into the Baltic expedition of
last year. Mr. lronside, the originator OF the mo.
ton, stated that in consequence of hearing that the
whole of the correspondence between Sir Charles
Napier and Sir James Graham was in the hands OF
MIR. Grant Of the London Morning Advertiser. he
wrote to that gentleman and received the following
reply:
:LoNDoN, June II, l855-Dear Sir:-T had in my
!
the originals-whch passed between Sir James GFa-
ham and Sir Charles Napier, from the starting OF
the Baltic Expedition last year. to lis return but
returned it TO Sir Charles No rior ago 60.
the documents-which | need not say OF infinite
importance-on the understanding that should not
give them out of my hands. had prohibition as
to showing them to friends, and had you chanced 10
call on me while they were in my possession, should
have had much pleasure in showing them to you.
have no hesitation In saying that II have any idea
Of what evidence is, these letters would Suffice with
other facts of undoubted accuracy, TO convict Sir
JAMES GRANT,
On receipt of this Mr.. Ironside wrote to Sir Chas.
Napier, asking permission the letters. He re.
ceived the subjoned answer:
Merchiston Horndean, June II, 1856. Sir Mr.
Grant has told you The truth. did not give those
letters to him to publish, because might have been
accused of giving my plans of attack to the enemy
but when it is decided not 10 attack the ports
pointed out, and when there is danger of publica
ton, shall go to Lord Pamerston and ask him if he
will give the papers to the House, and if he refuses
shall publish them-whatever is the consequence
10 myself.
81 have no hesitation in saying, had done what
Sir James Graham wished me 10 Go, plainly express
ed in letters both public and private should have
lost her Majesy fleet and think Sir James Gra-
ham deserves Impeachment for goading to do in
the Winter what he advising moi 10 do in the
Summer. Roebuck successful IN his Sebasto
poi committee that be ought to take up the Baltic -
Sir James Graham has been publicly accused by me
OF perverting my (quety, his y letters, and of en-
dangerng the Queens fleet and that accusation ought
not to lie dormant Were in Parliament, it should
not sleep for twenty-four hours. | do not think i
right to send you the papers, but would be glad to
show them to you had an opportunity. | remain
yours, very truly, CHARLES NAPIER"
Mr.. lronslde'5 motion was carried by the town
meeting; but we have notice in The English
parliamentary reports of Mr.. Roebuck having yet
acted upon it-N. Y Commercial advertiser.
AMERICAN PHYSICIANS IN THE RUSSIAN SERVICE
The following is translation Of contract made
by an American physician and The agent Of the Gar:
Mr.. $ (physican) will receive as compensa.
ton the sum of 80 silver roubles, (not quite s5O)
which viii be paid in current sounding silver in the
course OF the fist three days of every month. Be-
sides, there will be given to Mr.. $ (physician)
enough money TO pay for first class passage from
Berlin 20 Warsaw. Al Warsaw, the imperial Rus
sian government will provide him with the means to
conduct him 10 his place OF destination. The expen-
ses of bis return to Berlin in he shall cancel
this contract will be provided by the imperial gov
ernment, well official voyages. which will be
paid for according to the rules The time of service
will be counted commencing the day that MIR
- (physician) shall depart from here to War
saw
The Use OF GUANo AT THE SoUTH--A correspon
dent of the Journal of Commerce states that the
wheat growers in the country between The Chesa-
peake and Ohio are making almost universal use of
guano, half the upward cars being occupied by bags
of the great fertilizer their way the plantations
The correspondent states that the introduction
OF labor saving machines is rendering less necessary
than slave labor in Virginia, Maryland and Ken
lucky, and is materially lessening harvest wages
Mccormick & Hussey's Reapes, on smooth fields are
working wonders, and superseding the labors of man,
while the wheat fan is also universally used in the
wheat region of the South.
The " THUNDERER's" Contributors The prin-
I rim ha in