Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-04-12
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

The QUESTION SsrTLED.-For months IL
not years past, the newspapers of the country
have teemed with a controversy with reference
to the respective merits Of the different kinds
of improved firearms, this being the age of
improvement, and the Government being un-
derstood to be anxious to avail its military SER
vice of the advantage resulting from the adop-
ton Of real improvements applicable to it.
TRIAL upon trial Of the various arms offered in
contesting for the palm of superiority, has
taken place here. They have been so fire.
quent as to become a matter of little interest
to the general reader. So, We have refrained
up to this time from devoting more than very
brief space to them, anticipating that in due
time something would be within our reach
amounting to a settlement of the entire con-
troversy; when, we might in a single publica-
tion dispose, finally of the ubject, so far as its
claims upon our columns are concerned. That
time has come, as the reader will perceive on
reading the subjoined interesting official re-
port, which, by the by, is in keeping with our
anticipations.
For some six or seven years it was our fortune
to live on what was then an extreme frontier
by which means we became very familiar with
the use of the different kinds Of improved fire.
arms. In that time we never saw genuine
frontier man who did not prefer the Colt arms
to any others, Of whatever description We
place great reliance in the practical judgment
and experience with fire. arms of that particular
class of our fellow citizens and relying on our
knowledge Of the unanimity with which they
prefer them We took it for granted that, sooner
or later, the Government would come to COM
prehend the real value to the military service
of the United States of the Colt revolver rife.
&c So we publish the annexed off cial papers
with no little pleasure:
Extract Of a Letter from Hon John 3 Fovd
Secretary of War, to Hon. James A St,u1rt
Chairman Committee House of Representa-
tires.
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Washington, March 5, 1855
SIR In reply to the resolution of vour commit
tee OF the 18th ultimO relative to Colts ..revol-
vins-chambered breech- loadng'' fire arms
have the honor to submit the following inforIna-
tured by Mr.. Coltn
The most, and indeed the only, conclusive test
OF the excellence Of arms for army purposes, is to
be found in the trial Of them by troops in actual
service. Mr.. Colts arms have undergone this
test, and the result will be found, in SOM meas
ure, by reports Of General Harvey and Captain
Marcy, who used them in Florida against the
Indians, and which are herewith transmitted
These reports, it will be seen relate onlv to sthe
rifle" but are clear and satisfactory and, as
that arm has been much less used than the pistol
III our service, they become important
With ''Colts pistol'' the country is perfectly
familiar; 1t is agreed on all hands, by those who
have used them in the field. las shown in printed
evidence herewith enclosed, Sen. Rep. 257, 3lst
Cong, I'd Sess. that it is altogether superior 10
any other, and in fact 1t has now become essen
tlal to the public service. A board OF OIL rers
recently assembled to consider the best mode OF
| arming our cavalry, made report, copy of
which herewith transmit, showing the pres
| ent appreciation Of the arm by officers of the
army standing deservedly high for their services
experience, and intelligence
have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
obedient servant,
JOHN b. FLOYD, Secretary Of War.
Hon. James A Stewart,
House of Representatives