Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-09-21

u lew Gays ago, to examine the proposals for
building and putting on board the engines and
machinery for the new propeller sloops-of-war,
now in process of construction in pursuance of
the act of Congress- passed at its recent session,
are rapidly drawing their labors to close 1t
is probable they win make their report in a
few days. Proposals for constructing these
engines, &C., have been received from the fol-
lowing firms:
Edward Lynch, Washington, D. c.; Charles
Reeder,. Baltimore, Md; Murray 4 Halle
hurst, do; Rainey & Neafe, Philadelphia;
Merrick 4 Son, do; VIM Norris, do; West
Point Foundry, N. Y; Fulton Iron Works,
do; Morgan Iron Works, do; Novelty Irsn
Works, do; Allaire Iron Works. do; Atlantic
Works. Boston; Boston Locomotive Works :;
Woodruff & Beach, Hartford, CT.
In examining the bids, the character of the
engines to be furnished and the time in which
contract can be complied with, will be taken
into consideration, as we'll as the cost of the
work.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN THE FAR WEST
The following is an extract from letter from
an officer of the Army, serving in the field with
troops operating against the Indians in Wash
ington Territory, dated Fort Walla Walla, W.
T., August Z, 1858: .......
"Six companies Of artillery and one Of drag oons
have this day started for Snake river Ii is the
intention Of Col. Wright to throw up field work
there, and establish depot I have forwarded
with this command thirty thousand rations. ON
arriving at Snake river, the train will return and
receive another load, when IL will be escorted by
the four companies Of dragons (the one that
left to-day returning with the train and the two
companies of infantry. With the train TODAY
there are upwards of $50 animals I have sent
yawl, which will carry twenty men, and fat
time. As the river is some four or five hundred
yards broad, and very rapid, the nat will have to
be towed by the six cared yawl
My OK train runs constantine old FortWalla
Walla 1t will, hope, be able to bring nearly
everything from there. sincerely hope the hos
tile Indians may be met with, and soundly
whipped for, unless they are, no one can calcu-
late the ultimate expense of the war-it will last
year, or longer, and perhaps one good d. bit NAV
settle affairs this season"
DECISIONS UNDER THE TARIFF ACT-Tbe
Secretary Of the Treasury has recently decided
that tamarinds preserved in sugar. are to
be classed in schedule B, of the tariff of 1857,
and charged duty of 80 per cent Also, that
" cotton socks" or hose, with a narrow stripe,
or band, at the top dyed, which stripe is in
X,
classed in schedule E, at Is per cent. And.
likewise, that ''German spring STEEL" in bars,
is to be classed in schedule E, at IL Der cent,
The importers of the latter article claimed
that it should be classed as ''steel in bars cast
sheer. or German" under schedule +, at l2
per cent; but according to the Secretarys de-
cision it is placed in the category of "steeI not
otherwise provided for" in schedule L.
The ECHo's CARGo.-Thc Navy Department
received telegraphic despatch yesterday from
DR.. Rainey, agent for the restoration of the
negro cargo of the captured SLAYER Echo to the
coast of Africa, stating that the U. S. steamer
Niagara had reached Charleston, 8. c., and
received the negroes on board, and would prob
ably sail thence yesterday evening
notwithstanding Cobb left the city yes
terday on a brief visit to Baltimore.
THE WEArHRR.-The following report of the
weather for this morning is made from the Morse
Telegraph line to the Smithsonian Institution.
The fime of ohserv alton ia ohort .,.,..L.