Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-10-27
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP,


The SECRETARY OF WAR.-The Hon. John
b. Floyd, we are glad to perceive, Is the op)ec'
Of universal attention in New York, whose ciu-
zens seem glad to appreciate the great interest
he evidently takesin the military defences Oh
that important point. The followipg interest
ing account of his visit to the fortifications of
New York harbor We take from the Herdtd:
x,s,- Or THE sEcRrrasr OF Wan 10 GoyrRNl
op;s JsI,Np-Gov- Floyd, accom- nied by Gen
Totten. Col Law, Major Bafnard and Lieutenant
McFurston Inspected the forts and barracks ut
Governors Island yesterday. Gen. Scott was
stiIi indisposed and unable to be present. At
half-past ten O'Clock the party proceeded in the
officers, barge: from the Battery to the Island.
On landing, they were received by a guard of
honor, who saluted the distinguished Secre-
tary, while atthe same time a salute OF twenty
one guns WAS fired from Castle William. The
Secretary and suite proceeded to the pa ade
ground, where the troops were drawn up in line,
for review, comprising the permanent company
Of the garrison and large battalion Of recruits
seven companies in all-amounting to about six
hundred men. The number of men now on the
island is about 500; 23 having just departed for
California. ...
The officers on duty yesterday were Capt. Jones,
who commanded the troops under review; Lieuts.
Bariger. Moore, Howard, Holt, Offiey, Peck, Con-
rad, Dandy and Roam, with Drs. LOub and Hol-
den. Major Cady, the commaDdant of Governor 5
island attended Cove Floyd and suite tn n
the inspection. After reviewing the troops I'm line
and inspecting them by companies, the Secretary
visited in succession the Hospital and the music
boys quarters at the South Battery. where about
one hundred boys were assembled, closely in
specting their mess room, kitchen and school
room. From thence he proceeded to Fort Co
lumbus, the principal ratification on the island.
I'm this fort the quarters OF the rank and file the
band, and portion OF the officers quarters are
situated. Phe rooms of the men-in each of
which twenty-five are guarterea-were exceed
ingly clean and neat. The were drawn up
round the rooms, each One beside his own iron
bedstead, and as the Secretary entered all came
this way every room was visited. inc h,dsng the
library, where goodiy Array of books and news
papers testified to the care bestowed upon the
intellectual comforts of the garrison Capt. Jones
assured the Governor that a large attendance Of
the men in the library was qnf's common, and
that they were permitted to- take sone of the
books to their quarters to read at iei>cre. Every
room is under the supervision of a setges4H, who
answered all the questions put to him regarCdng
the comforts of the men under his charge.
The Kitchens and mess rooms of the soldiers
received a careful scrutiny by the Secretary. He
looked into the soup boilers and examined the
ovens. The quality of the soup, which was in
course Of preparation, was good and nutritious ;
ana the bread was as sweet, light, and fine any
one need wish to eat, and so Gov. Floyd pro-
nodnced it. 4 ration of pork-which, TO Judge
from its appetisin2 odor, must be very palata-
ble-with plenty of vegetables, bread and bean
soup, is served out TO each man for dinner. Four
pork. The Secretary put several questions to the
cooks and bakers relative TO- the quality Of the
articles under their hands, as we'll as infinitely
examining the same, and seemed quite satisfied
that the men were we'll taken care of.
The Governor then paid brief visit to the
officers quarters. where he pspeook Of a slight
ref eshment; and proceeded to inspect the arma-
ment of Fort Columbus a four Fashioned fieId
work, with ditch and counterscarp, and a covered
way leading to the old fort called Castle William
The most conspicuous fertilization on the island
Castle William, better known to our citizens as
g II he Fort, standing on the corner of The island
facing the Battery, the uglest looking structure,
externally, perhaps, in the world from the
wre'ched- taste displayed in coloring il a dingy
yeiIowIwas built in lcO7-- IL is, however, a
trcn9 defence, commanding the bay completely
10 mounts 7S guns. On the lower tier the guns are
on the second tier "a Founders and
on the top 2i-pounders. The third tier is occu-
pied now as soldiers quarters. Governor FLOYD
upon surveying the extent of water absolutely
commanded by the guns of this fort, remarked
that its value a defence was at once obvious !:
but he Thought that some improvements mig hit
he made IN its construction. General Totten sa id
that a much more effective fort could be con-
srncted now for the same sum which Castle
William cost al the time il was erected and men
TONED everal improvements contem plated i'm the
guns which were about to be mounted on the top
of the fort.
Ate inspecting this fertilization the duties of
NE day Were concluded, when the Governor, and
he large staff of officers who accompanied him.
proceeded to the quarters of the command ant
MTSo7 Cady. The day was exceedingly unpro-
pitious, the rain falling heavily and continu ily
In coz'equence OF this, well the length OF
time occupied in inspecting the work on Gov
ernor's Island the Secretary's visit to Bedloe,,
Island was postponed till tomorrow All the
arrangements, whether Of the Notifications, the
Dariacks, or the discipline on Governors Island
seemed complete, and reflect much credit OIL the
commandment and the officers under his command
The secretary OF War appeared to view all with
much satisfaction
Our reporter availS himself gladly of the on
PoItuniy to express his full sense of the courtesy
and kindness Of the officers of the garrison
which were extended to him throughout the Ell
tire day.
Bedloc's Island and Fort SCHUYLER remain vet
to be visited, when il is presumabe Governor
FIoyd's Iabors in this city will be completed
A NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CORRECTED.-Thc Hon
Caleb Gushing, in a note to the Boston Adrer-
tser, takes occasion to correct a common mis-
apprehension with reference to the action OF the
Government ofthe United States upon Walkers
application to be recognized as the head of the
Government OF Nicaragua. The government of
PatrIcio Rivas in Nicaragua was recognized by
President Pierce. That was a de facto gov
eminent. ITO be sure, says Gen. c. Walker
then commanded the forces of Nicaragua: but
he did it, in profession, if not in fact, only ms
the subordinate officer Of Rivas. When, SUBJ
sequently to this, Walker did, by simulated or
pretended election, attempt to uGurp the gov
eminent, he was not recognized by the United
States; on the contrary, his Minister was re-
} cited, on the express ground among others,
that he did not represent an established gov
eminent" Mr.. Gushing does not hesitate fur
Their to speak in terms of just commentator Of
the measures taken by the President of the
United States to discountenance that pregnant
exemplifcation of the higLer-law doctrine-the
fitting out, in our seaports, of organized expo
ditions Of Wholesale murder and plumber against
the unofending inhabitants of Central America.
THE MAYoRALTY OF NEW YoRk-That best
abused man now living-Fernando Wood
having been re-nominated by the Democracy of
New York for reelection to the mayoralty of
that city, bids fair to walk over the course with
hardly show of competition. This is a strange