The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-08

INTERESTING FROM MExICo-A correspondent of
the New York Times, writing from Vera Cruz,
January 24th, states that the latest accounts from
the city of Mexico say that Miramon is still there
and it is expected that he will make a demopstra-
tior before the City of Vera Cruz in the month of
March; buy off all those that are to be bought
and then withdraw his forces to the interior as he
cannot possibly raise sufficient force to ia ke this
city by storm.
The forces at San Luis Potosi, under Gen. Car
vajal, are supposed to be preparing for an attack
on Tampico. Carvaa jail will be strenuouslv opposed
by Gen raga, and Miramon appears to think
that the American force wherever it is sufficiently
strong, will join with Juarez's forces.
In view of the pending attack on Tampico, the
United States steamer Brooklyn left a boats crew
with gun and small arms to defend the American
interests at that place.
1t was rumored that the Constitutional forces at
Minatitlan had pronounced for Miramon, on ac-
count OF the scarcity OF funds in the Juarez treasu-
ry. The United States ship SARATOGA sent 4 de-
tachment to Minattlan similar to that sent by the
Brooklyn to Tampco. 1t also rumored that
Mr.. Ocampo won Id resign his place in the Consti-
tutiOnal Cabinet, and be succeeded by Gen. De-
gollado, who is al present COmmander-in- Chief of
the army. All are anxious to know what course
the American authorities will pursue in the event
of an attack on the city of Vera Cruz. The steam
er Tennessee has discontinued her mail SERVICE
The United States ship Saratoga remains at Vera
Cruz. The Brooklyn will proceed to Pensacola
for provisions, &c. Mr.. McLaue goes in the Brook
lyn to the Mississippi River.
FRANKLINITE.-An iron ore of a peculiar cbarac-
ter is found in New Jersey in great abundance but
is not known to exist in other parts of the world
except in small quantities. 1t is composed of iron,
zinc and manganese, in proportions considerably
varying, but some specimens give 20 of iron l3 of
manganese and II of zinc. 1t is used for the man
utacture OF zinc paint, and at the same time iron ia
made, which is said to be free from sulphur and
from the qualities called cold-shortness and red
shortness.
The ore melts at low temperature-about $50
1t has the property of adhering to wrought iron
and penetrating it to some extent And il
may be rubbed on red-hot wrought iron, and will
remain upon it as wax will remain upon heated
surface; and in this way thin or thick coating is
given, well united that it will not scale off when
the iron is bent and broken And this coatiny may
be given in this simple way, or by a bath
1t is so hard that file will not touch it, 1t cuts
glass, and appears harder and much tougher than
chilled cast iron. 1t has recently been used to
harden the points of horse shoes; and il s statad
that horse had one shoe made in this way and the
others of equal weight in the usual way, and the
hardened shoe outlasted three sets of the common
shoes.
The ore is but slightly attracted by the magnet.
and not affected by nitric acid unless predisposed
by the contact OF copper. 1t is said to be less liable
to oxidation than pure ron and it is expected that
sheet iron coated with it will be in great measure
secure againt rust
| 1t has been long known that manganese renders
iron hard and brittle; but the qualities of this ore
| are different fran the combination formerlyexam-
| ined. In fact, although the ore has been known
and experimental upon, these properties are but
recently discovered.
Mr.. A. F. Smith, Superintendent of the Hudson
River Railroad considers that if the claims advanc-
ed for this metal and its applications are verified
by practice, it will millions per year. in the
wear of rails, wheels and other parts of railroad
stock. Even if the whole rail cannot be surfaced
with it, but only the ends hardened it will effect an
important saving. 1t is questioned whether the ad-
hesion will be sufficient for traction; if it is it will
be good for rails and tires; if not much the bet
ter for journaboxes.
In the Pennsylvania Senate, on the Sd inst reso-
lutions inviting the Virginia Legislature to visit
the pennsylvania Legislature during the present
session. were read and referred to the COMMITTEES
| on Finance.
The PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD TERMINus.-The an