Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-09-22
Letter nom Boston.


Boston Sept, 70 1870.
NM or smR pnY SEASON.
One Of the dryest seasons known in New
England 1er many years closed on Satnr-
day last In this vicinity, with Northeast
rainstorm, and decided change in the
weather, which has become Fali-like and
breezy. The dry weather OF the past sea
son has been disastrous In more senses
than one, for In addition to crop failure 1t
has 70 . large extent favored the origin
and spread OF destructive fires. Our in
sursncc Offices have. in consequence los,
heavily, the returns OF log of the princi-
pal Offices in the United States (many OF
them belonging or doing business here
through agents) show their total losses
so FAR to have been s23.0s2. 272.S7.
WAR AND WAR MATERIAL.
II Is estimated that there Is now prodnc-
I'd IN New England yearly supply of
gunpowdcr greater in quantity than dur
Ing our late war. The quantity turned out
is estimated at $50 900 kegs. This is how
ever. mostly taken for use by miners and
the government magazines were hlicd 20
replction; but most OF II was sold on, there
being no further use for Il In this State;
there Is but one very extensive factory.
that OF the American Powder Co., az South
Acton, though there are several smaller
ones, and this one turns out about 10000
kegs per year. about two thirds OF which
is sold At the West. The African trade,
some time ago farnisghed our manufac-
turers with large orders; but English
competition has checked this demand very
materially. The existing war In Europe
has sent up the price OF saltpctre, and
made powder dearer, but 1t has Of late
FURNISHED quite profitable demand for
the article in bulk and manufacture into
cartridges, shells, &C.
Apropos OF this, Il may no, be generally
known that our gun makers and others In
the line OF war material are driving quite
q brisk trade with both the French and
Prussian beliigcrcnts. furnishing each with
al the arms and ammunition they are will
ing TO pay for. No, only this. but a number
OF active sympathiscrs with the French
pcopl. have, since the reverse to their
arms have occurred. been earnestly and
- far quite successfully cng aged in
raising a corps OF american volunteers. to
help drive the Invader from French soil"
| already about 800 men. it is said have zen
| listed for the war" most Of whom have
seen service In our late war The largest
| number has hcen raised Ia New YORK,
though volunteering in this city /, quite
brisk. Heretofore the work of recruiting
for this service has been conducted quite
secretly but Il having been ascertaincd
that our government would not interfere
with the shipment OF arms To either of the
belligerents. or with the departure OF un-
| armed men from our shores, even 20 tight
mil Fritz"or 'Bcnxine" tall OF them,
| however, running their own risks and not
amenable to American protection in case
of capture. the work Is carried on quite
openly. and "laborcrs To work on French
| railxays' are In demacd. The raging
| canawl' will no doubt also he brought in
To do service. Many Of our German friends
are quite indignant at this movement, which
they took upon rs a branch Of neutrality /.
bn. IL i only following the example set
| by them IN the beyitiug Of the .onplcas-
antncss," and followed up with and for
ever since. This however, Is not the real
| cause OF this soreness and complaint At the
outset or hostil;lcs Popular sympathy
went largely for the German cause, on the
superstition that II was an unjust one on
the part OF the French Emperor. But the
| subjusation OF that monarch and the csta5-
| lishmcut OF Republic In France, together
with the fact that Germany has accomp-
lishcd all 1t professed 10 be lighting for,
ha, turned American syrnpathies In an
opposite direction. The unfriendliness
Of Napoleon to thi, country during its
only the French people and their aid to
our fathers In their revolution struggle
are REMEMBERED, and hearty aud fervent
wishes for their success and the establish
freely expressed by most OF there Americ-
aus who a, first sympathiscd with Prussia
| In the war And this Is why Hans feels
sore.
| SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 18th,
was the 24Oth annlvc rsary IN the settle
mcnt Of Boston. and was celebrated by a
procession of details from companies, the
entire fire dep artment OF the city to the
number OF about COO men, q fire engines,
and a number OF hose and hook and lad