The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-03-06
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raURsDAY nO1N'a :. ..N1RCT 3. M

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THURSDAY 1O7S'0 .11R0T =. M
The Production of saltrstre-sene-
thing for Every Man T. Do.
We beg leave TO call the attention Of on,
citizsns to an important subject connected with
the maintenance Of our causs, and upop
which absolutely depends our capability o,
self-de'snce. The blockade of the Lincoln
Government, although incomplete, and In many
respects merely nominal, interposes obstruc.
ton to commerce sufficient to prevent our 70.
lance upon foreign nations for articles OF
prime necessity in the conduct of the war
In fact, one OF the compensatory advantage,
incident to the present sxigsney of our affairs,
is the self.dspendsnce which IL imposes. Our
people 80 long accustomed to procure by OF.
change for their own productions, Whatever
they might. require, had become almost On.
tirely helpless. Suddenly thrown upon their
own resources, they seemed bewildsred at
1rst, but soon this paralysis passed way
Their energy and enterprise sought channels
for exercise, the multiplied wants Of the crisis
were supplied, and now we are fast approach.
ing condition Of independence.
Tne Confederate Government has exl,ihir
tied from the beginning an snxious desire
10 encourage and stimulate the sfforts
OF the people in this direction, and for
this purpose has offered rewards to industry
create, than would be given under different
circumstances. It has been especially liberal
in the encouragement afforded to all enter.
prisss set on foot for supplying munitions of
war. We have among us all the elements
necessary to furnish these in abundance II q
sufficient amount Of labor with comparatively
email capital is turned in the proper direc-
ton. Thus, while atfording profitable en-
pioyment to large numbers Of our citizens who
would otherwise remain idle during period
Of general business etagnation, the Govern
ment assists in developing the resources of
the Confederacy, and teaches the important
lesson of sslfreliance.
1t 10 we'll known that wehave within our.
selves all the materials necessary for tho man.
ufaeture Of powder, which is the very life
blood OF war; bat soue preliminary prspara-
tion Is required before they can be converted
into the proper form for use. Ssltpetre, which
constitutes three 70 urths parts Of the whole, IL
not found in sufficient quantities, already made.
TO meet the demands Of the present enormous
consumption, and our powder mills, therefore,
are not employed to the full extent of their
capacity. The sources from which 1t can b
obtained, however, are inexhaustible, and
only little labor and capital are required to
procure it in the amplest abundance.
The War Department, some time since.
offered M'rty,fre cents per pound for all salt.
petre delirered before the 1st of January,
1862; but in order to induce its manufacture by
our own people at home, has proposed to give
6fty cents per pound for all that is made within
the Confederacy u9til January, 1863, and for
all made from artificial beds so cents per pound
until January, 1864. When it is remembered
that saltpetre is sold in Bengal at three cents
per pound, and actually taken in payment of
taxes by Prussia and Sweden at six cents
per pound, and that we have equal facilities
with them for its manufacture, the liberality
Of the Government and the lucrativeness of
the business will be apparent.
We subjoin below two communications,
which deserve general and earnest attention,
both from the importance of the subject and
ths high character of their authors.
The first is q letter from Commander Georse
Minor, C. s. n, and Chief of the Bureau Of
Ordnance and Hydrography in the Navy De-
partment Of the Confederate States, to Gov
Letcher, Of Virginia, and by him communi-
Gated to the Legislature of the State in De.
cember last, as an accompanying document to
his message; and tho second, the reply Of A.
Snowden Piggot, NJ. D., distinguished chem.
ist, to certain inquiries propounded to him
upon this subject.
BU8EAU OF ORDx'cE AND HYDaoaRApHr.
Richmond, November 8, 1861.
SIR: The supply OF nttre for the fabrica-
ton Of gunpowder being limited TO the nj.
trous earths found In the caves Of the ton.
federate States. OF which the supply IL uncsr.
tain, and, from partial examination 70.
Gently mate. OF q Quantity not sufficient for
the amount that Will Be required for q long
war, Ibeg leave, very respectfully, TO call the
attention Of your Excellency to the fact, and
ing artificial nitrs beds In every county In
Virginia.
During the war which followed the French
revolution. the supply Of foreign Nitro was
cut or from the Continent BY tho English
blockade; but, instead Of depriving the
Frent b OF this article Of prime necessity for
carrying on the war, means were at once
adopted for making 1t In quantity and quality
sufhCient TO meet the gigantic dem IN nds for an
army OF q million OF men. This was done hy
artificial ni'rs beds. In France alone the
yield was thousand tons per annum. Itwas
proportionate in Holland, Prussia, Sweden,
and Germany. The praotice OF extracting
nitre from beds 10 still kept up In Europe.
especially in Prussia and Sweden, where ii
(nfrre) 10 received In the payment OF taxes at
4 stipulated price.
Il Il true that one or more cargoes OF Nitro
may pass the insndcient Lincoln blockade, but
~ the supply thus obtained 10 uncertain,
white that Of "beds" 10 certain, submit to
wisdom In making nitre oursolves. than In
relying upon an uncertain outside supplyf
II you d0em my suggestions worthy OF con.
i will be pleased 70 furnish You
with all the inform alton on the subject that
you may desire, that can impart
have the honor to enc Close you . copy Of
Q letter addressed TO DR.. 4. 6noRdsn Pig.
got. distinguished chemist, who II familiar
with the subj ect, and htS reply. 49,,
0Ro MluoR. Oommandef 8. n.
RYs ExeslLsxey. jobs LxAAw, 0sp ef ia.
Fifty cents per pound Will BE- paid for
salspstrs, on deltveFy. at any Of the princi.
pal towns In Alabama.
Gro. MixoR, Chief Of Bureau.
BuszAv OF Oar. AID Hpr.,
October IS, 1851. /
SIR-It - possibls that the nitrous earth in
Uulcaent 70 supply the amount Of nitro re-
\ n8pAA and that "a nav haV0 tO rAaoPt t0