The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-08-31

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.


wAsunSoros. August 80, 1907.
GENERAL M'cLELLAs's POSITION.
II Ia true, stated, that General Mcclellan has
been appointed placed Ia command OF the federal
Virginia Major General Iialeck Is the General
nChief and Generals Mcclellan Pope and others In
command OF their respective armi les
THE NATIONAL DzBr.
The national debt, July I. 1892 including all ab-
tes known At the Treasury Department., which EN-
traces demand Treasury notes. certificates Of indebted
and temporary loans, ave hundred and eleven
millions. On that day there seven millions In the
treasury subject TO draft leaving the balance OF debt ave
hundred and four millions, In round numbers. Sixty
millions Of this amount Is old debt, and the pre-
sent Secretary has paid for old Treasury notes and
interest the funded debt twentyons millions The
expenditure therefore, all accounts from March 4
1851 to July 1882 four hundred and twentythrss
millions. This amount divided by four hundred and
eighty days gives the total expenditures per diem at
eight hundred and eighty thousand two hundred and
fifty dollars. Tho liabilities not known those claims
that had yet reached the Treasury not included
IN this statement.
APPOINTMENTS UNDxR rHR TAX LAW.
1hs President aud the Secretary Of the Treasury were
closely engaged to-day in completing the appointment
under tho Excise and direct Tax law.
Appointments under the Excise and direct Tax law
For Msseur-Fifst D.trc.fLs,.cc.er. sam Gardner
o.. LYNN Assaassor Theophile Passin OF st. Louis
cond District-Colector Joseph Bray ofSt Genevieve
Assessor, Dan Q. Gale, Of Washington Third District
Collector B. wilkinson, Of st. Joseph Assessor, JOS
A, Hay, Of Canton.
THE PRISONERS At THE OLD CAPITOL.
The prisoners released from the Old Capitol last night
vocferousy cheered tho officer in charge for the kind
treatment they had received.
Successful Launch OF tho Pnssatc. the
Second Ericsson Iron-Clad Battery.
At yesterday the United States ronciad
Passac. built the plan OF Mr.. Ericsson success
fully launched from the yard OF Thomas Rowland Esq.
Continental Works, Grssnpoiut The day being fns
early hour the visitors to witness the launch began
assemble, They came first in twos and threes, but
towards noon in crowds. from every direction, and
OF all ages and both sexes. There was but little at
tractve about the Passa.c she appeared on
the stocks; the novel construction was ali that
induced people 10 take than ono look at
Her lower hull Is Of ane model tho upper appears
like fiat block, sharpened at both ends with sunary
holes In IT, the Of which only understood by tina
Unlisted f
None but privileged Characters permitted inside
the house which covered the Passac Boing Of those
Chance given to have look, and tiao to
make an examination Of her interior. distant Wow
Of tho outside to who does not understand the
sruction Of nm roncad Is certainly the mos, attractive
view shows the rough points, which do not leave
pleasant impression with persons who expec, per-
lection.
The interior work Of the Psssaic is near completion
and will, in oil probability, be finished before the
turret is placed In position and guns mounted do
scrption of the PASSAGES construction needless she
is the Monitor again. with the exception Of few
dimensions which will DO spoken Of after the launch
At half past eleven O'Clock large number Of visitors
had assembled the outsiders having the majority Seve
raj naval officers, with their famiies presont
Among them were Admiral Gregory Commander Frai!cy,
Engineer sinners and Lieutenant Cushman. Admiral
PRudng vas in his barge with party OF rlcnds enjoy
ing view from the water.
AS noon approached the work,nen were busy "wedgng
up and taking away the shores. AT noon all but the
last support removed and at nine minutes past
twelve o'clock that knocked away and the vessel
started into her destined element, which sh3
reached without accident and graceful manner,
nrder salute from piece Of artillery on the wharf As
she commenced moving, Mrs Sinners, the lady Of Chief
Engineer Albert G. Sinners, United States Navy, who had
charge Of tina engines OF tho Mentor her memorable
engagement with the Asrrimac, had the honor Of
christening tho new iron clad by breaking bottle OF
champagne her bows which appeared to DO se sikna
for the mos vociterous checrng which was continued
long after the vessel hsd plunged into tho water Tho
launch was most successful. Not an &ccdeat Of
any KIND the pleasures ~ the day Every
arrangement had boon made by the proprietors and
others Interested In the establishment TO render every
thing agreeable 70 their guests aud they succeeded most
admirably.
After the vessel was safely noorcd alongside tho wharf
Mr. Rowland iavted his friends to COLLATION. spread out
10 Of the rooms connected with tho Office, whore
ample justice was done to the good things. Champagne
corks flew like eleven inch shell, and mirth,
good humer and jokes became the order OF the
day. Toasts were drmk TO Admiral Gregory, who
responded In few appropriate remarks 70 Mir
Rowland and Engineer Stacrs. Tire. checrs
given for tho Secretary aud Assistant Secretary OF the
Navy, for Admiral Gregory Mr. sinners, and Tor almost
nected in any way with the iron c!as Nine cheers were
given for Mr.. Ericsson Mr.. sinners, IN few remarks
that he made acknowledging the toast to himself.
parei the asnch of the assac with that Of the Monitor
Then nearly every one shrugged their shoulders and
went away hoping she might answer, but few tbiaSing
she would Now that sl. has proved success and fought
the greatest nava, battle ever known, all ready to
sound her praise be present at and shout as loud
any one when number two gliles into tho water.
livery body pre- appeared 10 be friendly every
body else and good Jokes and hearty laughter would have
nucd till now had not Aimrai Gregory moved that
they break the creckey aud g. home, which was the
signal for the main body to move which they did
ing few strgg ers however, VINO KEEP, up the attack
until after we had lett.
The following tho Dimensions Of tho passa.c
Length on deck 200 lect
ifhgth % Keel Oct
Breadth Of beam. - rect
Depth ol isd ~ rect
One turret tw ENTITY one feet dsmetcr eleven inches
thick, two htccnnch guns, but bored only thir
teen inches for the purpose Of using heavier charges and
with solid shot.
The armor OF the upper hull orrhe Passsc Is ave inches
ia ok, with wood backing forly-iour inches thick The
three inches thicker than that Of the Monitor.
c tho yard of Mr.. Rowiant adjoining tho house from
which the Passac launched Is the sloniauk another
OF the class and adjoining nor IL the Kaass si
another: aud then The keel Of Monitor name not
yet known, and which, from appearances, viii not DO
com petod for some months.
Mr. Rowland ezpecs have the Passac ready ror sea
III twenty days and from her present condition
nothing be to prevent IT, She viii prove ava
liable acquisition fleet, and will " the opportn
sister ship tho Monitor.
Before Closing THIS hasty sketch OF tne yessei ana
la N