The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-12
Our Washington Correspondence.

WASHINGTON July TO- 1855.
Our Coat Dences-Th< Court Of Claims: Opposition 70 II
IN Congress-The Neac Naual Bill, DC.
These emphatcaly the days Of sectional squabblcs
and party demagoguism In national legislature and
Is refreshing one compelled to watch and listen
10 the daily proceedings here, to see or hear OF
movement Of a truly national character The United
States POSSESS three great maritime fronon the Allan.
tic, on the Pacific and the Gulf of Mcxco-and line
Of 5000 miles Of coast TO guard from tho attacks
hostile Powers To the proper defence Of this great
extent OF the Congress was called
a few days since, by the Hon. Lemuel Dale Evans or
Texas, who am pleased " say, has turned his aen
ton 10 this great subject raught with national iu
terest and Congress perhaps Is better suited
TO the giant task Of arranging and submitting proper
and ecen, system Of coast deences than Judge Evans
and certain state in the Union in a more exposed
and dciencelcss condition than the Lone star State Of
which he Is a representative.
The petition Of William NJ. storm wa. presented by
Judge Evans, praying an appropriation 10 aid him in test
ing the nautilus system OF coast defence In bringing
system before the national Congress- the inventor claims
that by the application Of the new nautilus prncole
IN combination with elements Of rover already ap-
proved by military science, with the addition OF others
elaborated by himself by careful and repeated expert
ments-the whole be governed at will by the electric
wre-he has produced class or series of military
engines which, II duly placed and managed will render
our harbors and channels absolutely nyulnerable 10
naval attacks.
The nautilus engines are in effect portable fortified
tons. They may be prepared complete, and kept in
reserve In the forts and assona ashore and when de-
mandcd for they may be easily tran ported by sea
or lard and rapidly located wherever the emergency
REQUIRES their concentration These engines are desnci
a many competent engineers suppose, 10 open a
era in the history Of military science.
The reiiuoa Of Mr.. Storm appropriately referred
10 the Military Committee, aud understand that liberal
appropriation will be recommended 70 the mriis and
efficiency OF his engine.
antr the weather. The practical results OF this
Court have disappointed its friends II tends ouy an
noy and smbarass the claimants against the government
lat me illustrate. has claim upou The govern
ment which has been submitted 10 Congress for IL
First house and then the other at different sessions
have 'Iassed upon the claim favorably. Tue Court
has been established and the claimant referred there
iuticc This reference involves heavy expenditure OF
money 10 procure IN legal form testimony already the
files ~ Congress hut not In admissible shape. The
claimant the gauntlet OF the Court a Claims.
tlc printing and taking ~ testimony imposed
him by the OF the Court pays his counsel fees
and procurcs unanimous judgment In hts favor from the
Court This Judgment Is referred to Congrcssby Con
gr,ss 10 the Committee Cams-and tn. gentlemen of
that committee happening TO differ In opinion from the
distinguished Judges make an adverse report, and the
'auant IN much worse condition than before he On
ered the Court OF Claims This " the practical operation
this Court lts decisions respected by
the Committee ON Claims Ia the two houses Of Congress
than would be the opinion Of any other three gentlemen
expressed upon the subject Indeed, there sees,s
10 be n pride exhibited by these committees In reversing
the judgments q court Of law i Is not supposed that
these committees influenced by the fact that the
court Of Claims dmnishes the aaunt OF lobby fees
The chances for private speculation, Mt the expense
claimants Th case stated IL only one OF hundreds
which in existence many OF them stronger than the
one alluded 10. IL ease the Committee on Claims in
TIE IOusc reported against the judgment 81 the Court
without reading the testimony submitted 10 the
Ccut This Is the working Of the new Court when OBJ
rcscd by Congress.
rotice cue singular fact about the speeches Of the
Northern gentlemen on the subject ~ Tie assault on
senator ssmner They bitterly severe IN Their a.
ntbtlaons ~ the sau aud the lexicons are searched
of terms a reprsach and vupefation but there m
Unavailable declaration of Kind feelings towards G. III
pcoks and no intention 10 cast pcrsola imputa,t,n,s
What they say seems 70 be said entirely in a Pckwc<an
SENSE
I'm u this discussion has closed other business gil