The daily union., 1856-12-10
THE DAILY UNION

year by the party previously engaged in testing the prao
eabiiy Of procuring water by means OF sresian wells
upon the Sano Esaeado and upon the table lands west Of
the Rio GFande In the latter region the trial has not been
prosecuted sufficiently far TO admit OF satisfactory eonclu-
ons The work upon the slano which had been suspend
ed until additional tubing could be procured resumed
and we'll has been sunk to the depth Of S6l feet AT the
depths of 245 and 676 feet of pure and paaabe
water laid open-the first rising in the well 20 feet
aud the second TO within Ito feet of the surface As
water above this point it has not yet been practically
demonstrated that in this region there subteranean
streams which be made 10 flow upon the surface but
nothing has been developed TO change the opinion hereto
fore expressed that the experiment will be attended with
success If prosecuted TO the depth then contemplated by
the department More detailed information regarding the
late operations will be found in the report from the office
connected with these explorations.
The well has been left in such condition that the boring
may be continued from the point where Ii ceased should
future appropriations admit the resumption of the work
The important results that may attend the solution OF this
question: not only in connexon with the construction OF
railroad but also in the Development of the which
the county may contain, have been already noticed in
previous reports from this department.
The Typographical surveys carried in connexion with
this work have improved the location OF that portion OF the
railroad route the 32d parallel east of the Rio
Grande
Since the last annual report the cargo OF cames thir
tywo in number then referred to being expected have
landed the coast of Texas and taken into the nte
rior of the country Much time required for their re-
covery from the effects OF long seavoyage and but little
has therefore been made of them in the transportation
OF supplies On one occasion it is reported la traip
| consisting of wagons and cames was sent from Camp
Verde 10 San Antonio-a distance of sixty mies-over
road not than those usually found the frontier
and the result given is that the quantity brought back
by six cames 3645 pounds) equal to the loads OF
two wagons drawn by six mules cach and the time occu
pied by the cames in returning two days and SIX
hours-hat by the wagon four days and thirty minutes
On another occasion the capacity Of the camel for travel
ling steep activities and muddy roads tested
with the most satisfactory results Instead OF making the
detour rendered necessary in the location OF the road TO
avoid rugged mountain impracticable for wagons the
cames followed trail which passed directly it, and
Mt The
which they had been sent for supplies the road was rem
dered muddy that il considered mpassabe for load
ed wagons The train of camels nevertheless loaded
with average of three hundred and twenty pounds
each and returned to their eneampmen distance OF sixty
miles, in two dayssu1erng, it is reported, inter
rupton unusual fatigue from the mud which they
passed the torrents of rain which fell upon them.
These tests fully realize the anticpatons entertained
of their usefulness in the transportation of military sup
plies.
The experiment of introducing them into the climate of
the United States has been confined to the southern per-
ton OF Texas Thus far the result is favorable the
most sangune could have hoped OF thrty-four animals
imported two have dedone from accidental injury, and
the other from cause unknown When it is remembered
that this is the year of their accmaonn climate sub
eet to sudden and violent changes and to the by them
of herbage very different from that of the countries from
which they were importedthere is every to be-
leve that little difficulty will be encountered in the
cimaton of the CAMEL as that Of the horse the
The very intelligent officer who sent abroad to pre-
cure them and who has remained in charge of them
entire confidence both of their great value for pur
mate of large part of the United States.
When we remember that the camel was among the first
beasts domestcated by furnishes ground for no little
surprise that should have remained down the present
day little informed of its habitudes and physiology
The information which has been acquired in the progress
OF this experiment is of highly interesting character and
must to dspel of those apprehensons which
entertained when it first proposed introduce
cames into the United States for military purposes. By
the kindness of the Secretary of the Navy have been again
permitted TO freight storeshp its return voyage from
animag
be purchased from the unexpended balance of the approp
alton Lieut. D. d. Porter, of the navy, commanding
charged with the duty OF procuring them, and il is
pected that another shipment of about forty in number
will be landed during the present winter the of
Texas and sent up to the encampmen where those former
y obtained are now located when shall have for prac-
tica test about seventy animals
The construction of the Capitol extension has advanced
as rapidly as the supply of marble would permit The build
ing rooted in the ceilings of the Representatives and of
the Senate chambers are contemplated and the interior fin
ish is begun.
Several committee rooms have been finished and Others
though not yet painted have been temporarily occupied by
committees in consequence of the deficiency of in the
old building The decoration of these rooms was thus de-
ferred to be resumed during the recess of Congress
The vast quantity Of marble for the porticos in which
there are hundred columns will require at least two
for its delivery but the occupation of the building
need not be delayed until the completion of these portcos
AS soon as the main body Of the wings completed which,
including The venuatng aud heating apparatus is
pected will be accomplished during the summer the
building may be occupied.
In last annual report and in communication since
made IN answer to resolutions Of Congress- ii
nounced that specimens Of painting and decoration of
causc tile flooring OF castron window and door-casngs
had been prepared for the inspection of Congress and
other improvements the original plan contempla-
ted 1t then stated that ii this higher style Of finish
adopted the cost of the building be proportion
ally increased. And the original plan and estimate
for the lower style of finish found in the main building il
deemed proper TO submit Congress for decision the
question of changing the style to the higher standard of
the present safe Of architectural skill and 1t sug
gested that improvements might be introduced to greater
or less extent as Congress might provide Awaiting the
decision OF this question: further appropriation for the
Capitol extension presented in the annual estimates
this department During the session. and with the under
standing that ii the will of Congress that the higher
style Of finish should be introduced the whole build
ing, estimate for the years expenditure was
transmitted TO Congress- and appropriation made
In accordance with 1t. have this year caused estimates
to be made the hypothesis that the building is to be
completed both TO material and workmanship
conform throughout those parts which have already
been constructed and appears that the additional
which will thus be required millions hundr
thousand doara Of which portion Is asked in the annual
estimate for the next fiscal year
| The work upon the dome, suspended during the
session OF Congress, has been resumed
The machinery for the removal of the masonry Of the
old dome and construction Of the new has been erected
and the old dome has been completely demolished Great
care Necessary in forming upon the old walls the founda
tions TO support the iron work. and the adopted
and described in the report Of the officer in charge
well adapted TO insure success.
The design which originally adopted by Congress
appears to have been in advance OF study of its details
and estimate Of its cost Inquiries by committees of
the House of Representatives which the department
dome and under these circumstances II has been deemed
advisable to await further action Therefore, estimate
is presented by this department for the continuation
that structure as the amount that will be required must