The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-03-14

one OF the military depots In the country The
respondent be Baltimore American gives the following
facts:
"The pres extent of the arsenal grounds is 2s acres
of which g useless in consequence OF its being mud
bottom. The nson ordered embraces thirteen blocks ex
tends TO the hhern side of street. SOUTH and from the
Potomac hines creek, and contains about sixty acres
additional d-makng total of eighty-e acres. By
the CO bn of a sea-wall In about four feet water,
work must eventually be done, about fifteen acres
can ned making an area for arsenal purposes OF
one nReU and three acres, and presenting the best
adapted position for the construction OF arms in the coun
try
4The penitentiary building which must be vacated is
admirably situated for foundry into which IL can easily
be changed The Anacosa and Potomac channels bound
the grounds the west SOUTH and east and should the
james creek canal be carried out as was originally pro-
jeeted, its water facilities will be unmatched Iron and
brass cannon and every description of arms can be con-
sruced and all these operations be carried under the
immediate supervision of the War Department and the eye
"The grounds will have nearly two thousand feet of
water 'front.' with channel of from fifteen to thirty feet
depth, easily improyabe and furnishing water power in
such copous abundance to render steam entirely I'M
necessary. Major Bell the commandant of the armory
will commence the draining Of the James creek marsh
time towards fall and when this shall have been
| completed there will be longer any miasma arising
from the low grounds the island, which have been
several times presented as nuisance by the Board OF
| Health.
1.-THE Island will then take its proper rank of the
eligible portions of the city for residences and prop
ery in that section will largely increase in value The
prive many hundreds of shelter, and buildings must
be erected to accommodate them and the Island will when
improvements have been carried out present as des
rable location as any in the city.
"The credit of the projected Improvement of the arsenal
grounds belongs in great degree to Major Bell who has
the various positions of the kind which he has heretofore
held at St Louis Pittsburg and Harpers Ferry improved
the property of the government very largely and rendered
himself popular with everybody by his courteous manners
and enterprising spirit
"There are now only about thirty men employed at the
arsenal which force when the improvements completed
will probably be increased to roo 800 men, in itself
great benefit to Washington"
PHoTooRApHIc p0RrRArsThe attention of promenaders
on the has been arrested by Photographic portrait
in the window of Messrs Taylor Maurys bookstore,
which undoubtedly of the finest specimens OF this
novel produced We learn that 1t was executed
by Mr. Brady of New York. who has brought several other
portraits to this city, in the admirable style, and is
now engaged in obtaining lkenesses of the gentlemen
composing the cabinet His portrait of the President exc
at Wheatand is masterpiece of the Photographic
art combining the accuracy Of the daguerreoype with the
delicacy and finish of miniature on ivory.
| ARRIVAL OF LORD NApmR-We learn that Lord Napier,
the y-accredited minister plonipoenary Of Great
Britain to the Of the United States has had
interview with the Secretary of State and will be presented
to the President Monday next He is temporarily at
residence Of Mr. Lumey Secretary of the British ega-
ton here) Washington street. Georgetown, occupied
since that genemans departure by Mr. Harvey of
the Foreign Office at London, who was placed in charge Of
the archivee Lord Napier is described gentleman
Of close observation and courteous habits who has
long service in the corps plomaqu although he will be
only years of age in September next The fol-
lowing of the origin of the family of Napier
as related by old English historian may not be
interesting
zone of the ancient Earls of Lenox in Scotland had
three The eldest succeeded him in the Earldom
Lsnox the second was named Donald, and the third
Gichrst a
aThe then King of Scots was engaged in wars, and
amongst those who were commanded to him the
Earl Of Lenox who keeping his eldest at home sent
his second son (Donald) to serve for him.
aThis battle hard for the Scots who were forced
to ground, and at last to away which being per-
ceiyed By Donald he pulled his fathers standard from the
bearer thereof and vaantly encountered the foe Being
well followed he rpulsed the enemy and changed the
tune of the day, whereby great victory got After
the battle the King said unto them : You haze all dane
paantly but there among you a4o hath napisrand
calling Donald to his presence in regard to his worthy
service gave him in augmentation of honor to change his
name from Lenox to Napier and gave him the lands of
| Gosford,' &c.
The next eminent man of the line was Sir John Napier
1.-THE inventor of logarthms,) whose Archibald was
created the first Lord Naper The title has descended
the present representative of Great Britain here and the
other branches of the family have produced many disn-
guished statesmen brave soldiers and daring sailors who
have been worthy the of Napier.
! FIRST UNITARIAN CHURcH-The financial committee of
the First Unitarian Church in this city have published
tain facts showing that Mr. Conway their late pastor col
ected funds at the North for the support of that church.
the pulpit of which he pledged himself should be used for
the advancement of the "ant-sayery causoa This the
committee say unauthorized and places the church in
improper attitude before those who have been its
friends, for it has will pledge itself TO any
political cause. They further say:
As to the funds reported to have been collected they
have into the hands of the committee but are
they are informed deposited with gentleman in the
church. 1.-THE present trasurer subject to Mr. Conways
der We refer the donors to Mr. Conway and In conolp-
sion beg leave to say to them that the First Unitarian So
cety at Washington gave authorized the prom
Uses and pledges upon which those funds given and
have and will receive farthng Of them
| coupled with any such conditions"
| BIZ TELEGRAPH.