mains, especially in the interior of the logs, although priate place in the ship, and will not suit for any the outside of them appear always dry after they other place; that the pieces, if stowed in sheds, have been kept for some time. This moisture, which will spring out of place, and cannot be again rederives its origin mostly from the sap, contains a stored to their original mould; that it is of the first great deal of acid, congenial to fermentation, and importance to preserve the form and shape of each consequently favorable to produce the rot. It is and every piece, which cannot be done under sheds, this moisture which must be attacked and driven where the timber has been cut to mould; that, if it from the heart of the timber; dryness alone will were intended to place live oak timber for frames make it solid and durable. We think it by no means un er sheds, it should be got out considerably advantageous to lay it in the water for the purpose larger than the moulds, in order to make allow of preserving it-water is a dissolvent, which, in auce for its springing, which would involve much time, penetrates and rots all-sea water possesses additional expense in hauling, transporting, and this quality in a less degree than fresh water, but it fashioning, when in a hard dry state, to moulds; has it in a great m`asure. The English do not put that, if the principle of immersion be discarded, as the timber in the water for the purpose of preserv.it should be to the greatest possible extent, there ing it. It is the same with several other maritime exists within the knowledge of the commissioners, nations, who use a great quantity of timber, and no means by which the form and shape of live oak possess a considerable knowledge respecting it. timber, got to moulds, can be preserved, except by The best means known to this day, to preserve putting the frames together, and bolting, planking, timber, appears to be that of keeping it in well and staying them so effectually as to prevent the constructed and airy sheds, in a vertical position, possibility of their springing. so that the moisture, which remains in the interior of the logs, in running along the fibres of the wood, may be enabled to issue from the lower end "We perceive that wood used on land for beams in houses, and other purposes, kept dry and under shelter, will preserve itself for ages. With respect to other materials of wood, the result of the experiments, made many years since, would seem to indicate the inefficacy of covering, as a means of preservation. The white oak and pine, collected under the act of 1799, and placed under sheds, was, in a few years, found in such a "We see the English construct the frames of their state of decay as to be unfit for use. The commisvessels and leave them to dry for a long time on the sioners know but little of the history of the oak stocks, under the shelter of great awnings, before and pine collected at that period. Whether the they finish them completely. Moisture destroys the trees had attained their full growth; whether they timber, and dryness preserves it. Timber not only were not cut in a vegetating state; whether, when rots when it has been exposed to humidity, but it stowed, the timber was properly stuck, so as to adis likewise exposed to injury from the effect of in-mit a free circulation of air; whether the sheds sects which find their way into it. were of a sufficient width and height to protect it "Water seems to be favorable to the decompo- against the sun, or sufficiently tight to secure it sition of the sap in the timber immersed; but it against rains and piercing winds; whether the timsubstitutes in its place another kind of moisture not ber had not been water-soaked, prior to its being less destructive, of which the timber, though af-placed under sheds,-are points upon which the terwards exposed to the air, will not easily get commissioners possess no positive information. clear-it weakens and destroys the grain of the wood." Since, however, universal experience affirms the efficacy of this method of preserving ship timber, In reply to that part of the query which calls for the commissioners are persuaded that these causes information as to the practicability of preserving of decay must have existed in a greater or less dethe materials of wood by immersion, the commis. gree; and that the result of experiments, so partial sioners of the navy beg leave to observe, that, al-and unsatisfactory, should, by no means, deter us though wood, so long as it shall be immersed, may from adopting it, as far as circumstances may ren. be kept in a sound state for a great length of time, derit expedient to do so. yet they are not able to discern any advantage re- White oak and pine, cut in the right season, when sulting from immersion to wood intended to be used in a proper state, and brought to the yards dry, and in the open air; that injuries certainly arise from carefully placed under sheds, affording protection saturating timber, and particularly large pieces, against the sun, rain, and piercing winds, yet adintended for use above water; that, as regards tim-mitting a free circulation of pure dry air, could, it ber intended for use under water, the bottom of is confidently believed, be preserved in a perfectly ships, for instance, immersion may not be so inju. sound state for a great length of time, probably as rious; but, even in that case, if the timber could long as the furniture of a house. be dry seasoned, and rendered hard and imporous, Lescalier remarks, "there ought to be built in prior to its being used, it would be greatly prefera- every yard a sort of great square and flat oven, ble to immersion. This, however, could not be with several fire places underneath, in order to conveniently practised, particularly with the large keep up a sufficient degree of heat, say 45 to 48 massy timber intended for keels and keelson pieces. degrees, to dry the timber very slow, without causImmersion, then, may to a certain extent be resorting it to crack. This process would expel the air ed to from necessity, but not from choice, in any contained in the interior, and extract the acquired moisture; destroy the worms or other insects which With respect to preserving materials of wood might have found their way into the timber, and by covering them, the commissioners would re-render it perfectly sound to the very heart. Until mark, that our live oak is a species of wood parti- it should be thought proper to use it, it should be cularly subject to rents and warps: that this timber, kept under sheds well aired," &c. the strongest, firmest, and most durable of any grown in the United States, is used for the frames of our ships; that, owing to its great weight, (76 pounds the cubic foot), and the expense of hauling and transporting it to the building yards, it is cut to moulds in the forest; that each piece has its appro case. The commissioners beg leave here to observe that, if the objections already urged to the practice of immersion, should not be considered as conclusive, still it would be highly improper to resort to it at any of our building yards where the worm is known to frequent-Norfolk and New-York for instance. Again, at some of our building yards, the bottom of the timber docks is so soft that live oak, which is 134 pounds per cubic foot heavier than water, would sink in the mud, in the course of two or three years, if not less time, so far that its reco4th. If put under sheds, it is not possible, withvery would be difficult. We have heard of in-out incurring great expense, to arrange the pieces stances of white oak, which is 20 pounds per cubic feet lighter than live oak, sinking in the mud so far as to be irrecoverably lost. 3d. The expense of stowing and unstowing under sheds, or of decking and undocking, in either case considerable, would thus be in a very great measure avoided. of timber in the order in which they would be wanted when required to be put together. They are generally stowed away as they are received Those who have heretofore advocated immersion from the contractors-hawse pieces, fashion pieces, as a means of preserving timber, admit that, to be knees, floor timbers, cou ter timbers &c are effectual, the timber must be at all times complete- brought together, and necessarily stowed promis. ly covered with water; that, to deposite it in water cuously; nor could this be otherwise well done, unof less depth, at low tide, than its own diameter, less we had an extent of shedding far greater than would expose it to serious injury from the sun. In is required by promiscuous stowage. Similar obconstructing a dock, reference must be had to thejections, though probably in a less degree, exist to rise and fall of water. The diameter of navy tim- immersion; whereas, by framing the pieces together, ber varies from 12 to 8 inches, and the timber they are always in place; no expense of removal is must never be placed where there is not, at low incurred; and they are not liable, as they would be, water, a depth of water at least equal to these di-either by shedding or immersion, in a greater or ameters: it should, to cover the timber completely, less degree, to be lost or misapplied. exceed them two or three inches. Hence, it is obvious, that the expense of constructing suitable docks, even in the most favorable situations, would be no inconsiderable item. 5th. The ships in this state could always, when required, be launched and fitted for service in a short time. 6th. It is the most economical, as well as most efAt this time we use docks for timber to a certain fectual mode, for the preservation of ship timber, extent, but this arises more from necessity than that can, in our opinion, be devised. The coverchoice, Sheds are unquestionably greatly prefera-ing or housing should be first made, and the ship ble for every species of timber used for navy purposes, excepting, possibly, live oak cut to moulds: but, not having suitable sheds, or other means, we are compelled to resort to immersion, as less injurious to the timber than sun, rain and frost, or an exposure to a succession of wet and dry. should be built under this covering. A very great and decided advantage thence results, as respects workmanship as well as materials. The artificers can always make a full day's work at any season, and can perform more, work in the same time than they can do when exposed to the weather. It will, it is presumed, sir, appear obvious, that neither immersion nor covering would answer as a system of preservation, applicable to all our build-if ing yards; and that both methods combined would not answer at such of our yards as are frequented by the worm. The question then presents itself, What plan would it be most expedient to adopt, in reference to the preservation of the materials of wood, as a system applicable alike to each of our building yards? Many instances might be adduced of the great durability of ships, thus built and preserved; one, not more, occurred at Venice. A ship built there remained on the stocks, under cover, for sixty years, when, on being examined, no mark of decay could be discovered in her timbers; they were somewhat shrunk, which was ascribed, no doubt justly, to their having been put in the ship in an unseasoned state. Escalier observes, "we perceive that wood used on land, kept dry and under This subject has justly commanded every atten- shelter, will preserve itself for ages." Thus pretion which could be bestowed upon it. Consi-preserved, the wood acquires a close texture, a dering it, as we do, vitally interesting to the pre- hard consolidated fibre, which prevents its imbibsent and future prosperity of the navy, of which ing moisture, and enables it to resist all the de we have the honor to be members, we have inves-structive effects thence arising. tigated it with an anxiety proportioned to its impor. As to "the probable difference between the in. tance. Every means of information within our jury to vessels launched, and those which are framreach has been resorted to it, and having satisfied ed and kept upon the stocks," the commissioners our minds upon the subject, we respectfully sub-have to observe: mit the result with a degree of confidence not usually felt by us on such occasions. To avoid all the disadvantages of immersion, and secure all the advantages, without any of the ills, of covering timber in pieces, the commissioners of the navy are of the opinion, that the whole frame should be put together, and planked, bolted, and stayed so firmly that no piece could spring out of its place or shape, and covered so effectually as to be protected against the sun, moisture, and high piercing winds, yet to admit a free circulation of pure dry air. In favor of this system innumerable considerations present themselves; among others, the commis. sioners beg leave to submit the following: 1st. This is the only method applicable to all our building yards, as a system for the preserva tion of our ship timber. 2d. As to the efficacy of this means of preserving timber, there is, as far as is known to us, but one opinion, and that decidedly in its favor. That, before vessels are launched, they must be caulked and coppered, and after they are launched, they must be safely moored; the copper and cables would wear, the oakum in a few years would decay; re-caulking would become necessary. These are injuries and expenses to which vessels kept on stocks are not subject. A vessel afloat, in still water, and well covered, ' could no doubt be preserved for a great length of time; but if exposed to be agitated by the winds and waves, it would be impossible to cover her as effectually as she could be on the stocks, where she would be immoveable, and operated upon, as she would be in such a situation, by winds from every point of the compass, her sides, as far as she could be careened by such winds, would be exposed to alternate wet and dry-whence.decay would ensue in the parts so exposed, and occasional repairs would become indispensable to the preser. vation of the ship-repairs which obviously would not be required on vessels kept on the stocks. And the annual expenditure, $249,943 44 At some of the building yards, particularly at Portsmouth, the expenditure will shortly be increased; but at others it will be reduced a reduction of wages being contemplated, and which it is believed can be made without injury to the public service; and our impression is, that the reduction in the one class of cases will be equal to the increase in the other, so that, in the opinion of the commissioners, the sum of $250,000 or $260,000, would be sufficient to pay the wages of the work men employed on the vessels authorized by the act of 29th April, 1816, at the several navy yards for one year. "As to the probable cost at which sheds might be erected," it is thought, that to place all the timber (other than the live oak) now deposited at the several building yards, and that yet to be delivered under existing contracts, under sheds calculated to protect it effectually, would probably involve an expense of seventy-five to eighty thousand dol perfect, and others not having yet been made. The commissioners have invariably kept one great object in view: that is, to confine the expenditures to the amount of the appropriation; and they have, therefore, no hesitancy in observing, that the unexpended balance of the appropriation is abundantly sufficient to meet every engagement made by them.. The engagements for steam batteries have not been increased since the 31st January last. At that period, as the commissioners had then the honor of stating to you, they amounted to $223,555. Of which sum there has probably been paid to the contractors $117,476 49, leaving the sum of $106, 078 51 yet to be paid, when the contractors shall have executed their respective contracts. Al of which is respectfully submitted. SMITH THOMPSON, Secretary of the navy. French and American Commerce. AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT. Letter from the secretary of the treasury to the speaker of the house of representatives. SIR-In obedience to a resolution of the house of representatives, of the 20th ultimo, instructing the secretary of the treasury "to state to the house, so far as he has information, the number and tonnage of the French ships which have arrived, and are expected to arrive, in the course of the present year, in the river St. Mary's since the 1st July last; whether their cargoes are intended for the consumption of the United States, and to be introduced within the territories of the same, in evasion of the laws; and what further provision he deems necessary to be made, by law, for the more effectual collection of the revenue on the southern frontier," I have the honor to state, that two vessels under the French flag have arrived in the river St. Mary's since the 1st day of July, 1820; and that several others were daily expected at the date of the last The commissioners, on the 31st of January last, communications from that port. The tonnage of had the honor of reporting to you, that the en-those vessels has not been ascertained.—Their cargagements, by contracts, for materials for building (exclusively of purchases made by the navy agent from time to time, at the different building yards) amounted, at that time, to the sum of 2,771,392 45. lars. "What is the whole amount of existing engagements in relation to the vessels directed to be built by the act of 1816?" The engagements since that period are estimated at $490,750 34, viz: For iron Staves Tanks 51,960 Cannon 188,000 Timber Kentledge Blocks Cordage Anchors White lead 9,468 34 18,450 14,000 1,200 490,750 34 These engagements are generally by contract, and do not include those made for labor, which, as before stated, amount to $20,828 per month. How far these contracts have been executed, or what amount will hereafter become payable upon them, cannot be stated with precision, in consequence of some of the returns, made by the agents, not being goes consist principally of wine and fruit; and no Information has been recently received, entitled to the highest credit, that it is contemplated, by mercantile adventurers of other nations, to estab lish depositories of West India articles, and of slaves, especially of those who, for the commission of crimes, may be sentenced in those islands to transportation, on the rivers St. John's and Appalachicola, and other positions upon the coast of East and West Florida, for the purpose of illicitly introducing them into the United States and of drawing from thence all articles necessary to the support and convenience of the West India colonists. The uncertainty of the final result of the negociations which have been carried on for the acquisition of the Floridas, is understood to be the sole cause why those establishments have not already been made. Should the convention for the cession of those provinces to the United States be ratified by the king of Spain, the intended scene of operation will be changed, without changing, or in any degree weakening, the motives which originally suggested the idea of such establishments. Division The supply of the West India islands, from the United States, with articles of indispensable necessity, without the intervention of American naviga. tion, will continue to be the object of unceasing exertion. In the event of the occupation of the Floridas by the United States, the depositories necessary to effect that object will, probably, be transferred to the uninhabited shores of the Gulf of Mexico west of the boundary of the United States. In that position, the object of an establishment of that nature will be more manifest, whilst the faci lities it will afford of evading the laws will be less than those now contemplated. It is for the wisdom of congress to determine how far a permission, on the part of a foreign government, to make such establishments within its territories, for the manifest purpose of evading the laws of the union, and of corrupting its inhabitants, will justify the adoption of measures necessary to repress the evil, but Merchants, stockwhich, at the same time, may be considered an in-holders, and other vasion of the rights of jurisdiction and territory of men of property, exsuch nation. It is probable that the establishment clusive of the nobiof a depot of foreign articles, on the uninhabited lity, shores of the gulf of Mexico, within the territories Dependent of Spain, would become the habitual resort of smug-on those clasglers and pirates, from whence a contraband trade ses, and on goof the worst description would be attempted to be vernment, carried on with the United States The establishment of two or more military posts on the Sabine, and on the Red River, and the active and vigilant exertions of the revenue cutters emploved in the gulf of Mexico, might, in a great degree, repress the efforts which would be made to introduce, from such depot, every species of merchandise into the United States, in evasion of the revenue laws. Should such an establishment be attempted, and no extraordinary measure of repression be authorized, it will be indispensably necessary to establish a new collection district, comprehending the rivers, bays, and shores, of the western part of Louisiana, and secure, by a liberal salary, the services of a man of integrity and enterprize, to superintend and enforce the execution of the revenue laws, within the district. I remain, with respect,&c. W. H. CRAWFORD. The Speaker of the house of representatives. State of England. 1,000,000 1,000,000 2,003,000 Government of property, 1,000,000 ders generally 8,000,000 of power. Division of interest. Interested in preserving. The crown and the he- 1,000,000 2,003,000 8,000,000 Interested in acquiring. Manufacturers, mecha nics, laborers; in short, the whole mass of the people, exclusive of the opposite classes, 8,000,000 These tables, remarks one of the reviewers, exbit a formidable majority as to the number, in favor of the lower orders; of those who are possessed of nothing but income, and devoid, in course, of that stake A work has been published, the present year, in the country which renders men averse from revoat Paris and Geneva, entitled "Lettres de St. lutionary change. Would it, however, be correct to James," Letters from St. James'. It contains a va- assume the co-operation of this mighty mass in favor riety of remarks on the political situation of Eng-of the measures of the Radicals? Far from it, says land, as affected by the magnitude of her taxation, the writer; since personal timidity, religious feeland the distress of her manufacturers. "In no ings, and motives of conscience, would keep back country," says the writer, "is wealth more une- at least half of the number. Still the Radicals, qually divided than in England, and in noue has though thus reduced to 4,000,000, would be irresis‐ its tendency to accumulate in a few hands been so tible, were it practicable to make them ast collecfully exemplified. "The following table, which he tively; and, even without thus acting, they would has drawn up, is founded on official returns, made be extremely formidable if they could be made to under the property tax, and the London Reviewers concur ardently in a favorite object. The latter, admit, that it represents, "with tolerable accuracy, however, is very difficult; and the present watchthe relative situation of the inhabitants of Eng-word, "parliamentary reform," is too vague in its land, leaving Scotland and Ireland out of the ques-meaning, and too uncertain in its result, to serve tion." England: total population, 10,000,000. as the bond of a popular compact. On the other hand, government and persons of property have Division of land. the command of a very efficient military establish·Possessed of lands, or its Not possessed of land, or ment, with the power of carrying the yeomanry its produce. and volunteers to the number of 200,000 men: with Merchants, manufac- which aids they may easily transport a preponde turers, stockholders, and rating force to any threatened point, and thus ob others, whose property tain a superiority which, though not general, is in money, merchan- would be decisive of the issue of a conflict. dise, &c. National Gaz. Produce. Land holders and farmers, 500,000 500,000 Mr. Roberts spoke in favor of the resolutions. January 20. - Mr. Knight, a senator from Rhode Island, in the place of the late Mr. Burrill, appeared to-day, was qualified, and took his seat. The following message was received from the president of the United States, by the hands of his private secretary: To the senate of the United States: Mr. Sanford rose, and, referring to what had tak en-place on the petition of the bank of the United States, and to the character of a particular do cument, communicated confidentially to the committee on finance, and which afterwards became a subject of discussion, as to the expediency of printsent, with others, to the committee of the other ing it-stated, that the paper in question had been house, to which the subject was also referred, and that it of course had passed out of his hands, and he had been unable, at the time, to furnish it to the senate; but the president of the bank had, in consequence of what had passed on the subject, transmitted to the senate, through him, a copy of the paper referred to, and he now communicated it to the senate. The paper was received and ordered to lie on the table. After some proceedings upon it, the bill to esta In compliance with a resolution of the senate of blish a uniform system of bankruptcy was made the the 4th inst. "requesting the president of the Unit-order of the day for Tuesday next. ed States to communicate to the senate any infor- Petitions were received from six of the banks in mation he may have as to the power or authority the district praying for renewals of their charters. which belonged to Don John Bonaventure Morales, and to the paron Carondolet, to grant and dispose of the lands of Spain in Louisiana previously to the year 1803," I transmit a report from the secretary of the treasury, submitting a letter of the commis sioner of the general land office, with the docu ment to which it refers. Washington, Jan. 18, 1821. JAMES MONROE. January 24. The senate took up the bill reported by the committee on the public lands, confirming the title of the marquis de Maison Rouge, to a tract of land on the Washita river, in the state of Louisiana, granted to him by the Spanish government, on the 20th June, 1797. [The title covers a tract of thirty square leagues, and comes before congress for confirmation by petition from Daniel The message and documents were read, and or-W. Coxe, who claims under the title of de Maison dered to be printed. The senate then resumed the consideration of the resolutions declaring the late sedition law unconstitutional, and to indemnify those who suffered damages under it-the motion of Mr. Walker, of Geo. made some days ago, to postpone the resolu*tions indefinitely, being still under consideration. Mr. Barbour again addressed the senate in support of the resolutions, and in reply to their opponents. Mr. Smith also again spoke in reply to Mr. Barbour, and others who advocated the resolutions. Mr. Macon likewise spoke again in support of the resolutions, and in defence of the opinions he had previously advanced. Mr. Holmes, of Maine, spoke at length against postponing the resolutions, though he preferred legislating for the particular case of Matthew Lyon. Mr. Walker, of Georgia, spoke again to vindicate his opposition to these resolutions. The question was then taken on the indefinite postponement of the resolutions, and was decided in the affirmative as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Chandler, Dana, Eaton, Elliott, Gaillard, Hor- So the report and resolutions were rejected. The senate adjourned. January 22. The senate was occupied almost exclusively this day, with the bill for the relief of the purchasers of the public lands. Rouge, and holds the greater part of the immense tract which that title embraces.] The bill was accompanied by a long report from the committee, setting forth the facts of the case, and the principles on which the bill was predicated. The bill was, on motion of Mr. King, of Alaba ma, postponed to Friday; and The senate again took up the bill granting relief to purchasers of publie lands prior to the 1st of July, 1820. A good deal of discussion again took place on this bill, principally on amendments offered to itnone of which, however, of a material character, were agreed to. The bill was, after some time, again laid on the table. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, Jan. 19. After other business-The fol lowing message was received from the president of the United States, by his private secretary. To the house of representatives:-In compliance with a resolution of the house of representatives, "requesting the president of the United States to inform the house (if in his opinion proper) whether any, and if any, what negociations, since the 1st of January, 1816, have been had with the Six Nations of Indians, or any portion of them; who the commissioners or agents were; the objects of the negociation; the expenses of the same; the compensation of each commissioner, secretary, or agent, and to whom the moneys were paid,” I now transmit a report from the secretary of war, communicating the information desired. JAMES MONROE. 3 |