The New York Herald Newspaper, November 29, 1878, Page 3

THE NAVY. Annual Report of the Secretary. STRENGTH OF OUR NAVAL FORCE. Special Work By Our Na- tional Vessels. ESTIMATES AND EXPENDITURES. Relations of Our Navy to the Merchant Marine. WORK AND EXPENSES AT NAVY YARDS. —- WasHinaron, Nov. 28, 1878, R. W. Thompson, Secretary of the Navy, in his an- nual report to the President says that since the date of his former report the condition of the navy has been considerably improved. ‘There are now in con- mission twenty-eight cruising ships, one steaaboat and five sailing vessels, making thirty-four in all. These are in condition for active service except the Gettysburg, now in the, Mediterranean squadron, which, having deteriorated in her.iron plating and hay- ing recently broken 2 shaft, will probably require more repairs than it would be good economy to make. This | will reduce the number to thirty three now in com- mission as cruisers and needing no immediate repairs. There are six vessels, including one monitor, recently put out of commission for repairs, all of which can be made ready for sea again in the course of a few months. The work will be done with all possible de- spateh. Besides these there are thirteen needing re- pairs somewhat more extensive, and which it will re- quire more time to make; but the whole of these nineteen vessels can be repaired and put also in thorongh condition with the present appropriations and those asked for the next fiscal year, and there- fore without any additional charge upon the ‘Treasury. ‘That is, if the same appropriations shall be made for the next fiscal year us have been made for the pres- ent, the department will be enabled to make the necessary repairs upon all these vessels, so that the number of cruisers will be to that extent increased. When this is accomplished the effective cruising force of the navy will be torty-seven steam and five sailing ships, making the total number fifty-two. ‘THE MONITORS. The number of monitors now ready for service is thirteen, and as the one recently put out of commission an be soon repaired, aud the Miantonomah can be completed out of existing appropriations, the num, ber may be properiy fixed at fifteen. Two torpedo boats are now also ready for service. It will be seen, therefore, that without any increase of appropria- tions beyond what is asked for—that is, within the means under the control of the department, with the current appropriation—tho total fighting force of the navy will be fifty-two eruis- Ing snips, fifteen moniturs and two torpedo boats, making in all sixty-nine. But this does not show the whole naval force that could be put in service in tase of necessity. The four double-turreted moni- tors and one single-turreted now in progress—the Puritan, Amphitrite, Monadnock, tor and Terror—could be completed without much de- lay with the necessary appropriations _ for that purpose. Six cruising ships, upon which Te are not at present contemplated—the Colo- lo, Wabash, Franklin, Florida, Minnesota and New York—could be soon put in condition as fighting ships if necessity required it, and this being done, the fight- force of the navy would be fifty-seven cruising ships, twenty monitors and two torpedo boats, to which could be added in case of imminent necessity two other steam and two sailing vessels, thus making the total number eighty-three, The number might still be increased, however, by utilizing eight large .iron tugs of over three hundred tons now at the navy yards and other stations, which could be converted into gun ‘or torpedo boats, and thus make the whole number of war vessels of all classes ninety-one. There are thirty-two steam and sailing vessels now unfit for use for warlike purposes, although four of these might, if uecessity demanded it, be put in condition for temporary service at sea. Of these four have been in use nearly ye pei having been built before the year 1820, and fifteen were built before the war, leaving fourteen only that have been built und two that were purchased since the beginning of the war. UNFIT FOR FIGHTING PURPOSKS. Of those built during the war ten were constructed with great rapidity and under the pressure of the most urgent uccessity, and consequently out of lum- ber not sufliciently seasoned to insure their dura- ven to the average life of other vessels. cay, therefore, has been unavoidably rapid, and as it would not be good economy to undertake the Feptir of vessels so far decayed as the greater part of these now are, it would be better that they should be sold or broken up and authority conferred upon the department to use the proceeds tor the repair of such other vessels as may need them, so as to keep the navy in its present condition of efficioncy us nearly as possible without additional drafts upon the ‘fressury. ‘lo this number of vessels unfit for Aghting purposes may be added four iron-clads, which should also de disposed of in the same way. {f, thea, there should be added to the fund thus pro- duced the proceeds of the sales of waste material the business of the department would be greatly tacilitated without new appropriations. COMMODORE SHUFELDI'S TRIP. ‘The Secretary devotes some space to the condition of the several squadrons, the names of the cominand- ‘ers and the vessels composing them, and then says :— ‘The Ticonderoga has been detailed, under the com- mand of Comunodore RB. W. Shufeldt, for special ser- vice upon the coast of Africa and in the Hust Indian Islands. This service is regarded as especially im- portant in its relations, not merely to interuational Matters contided to it, but to our commervial inter- ests. The officer assigned to this command is pecn- liarly fitted for the delicate duty confided to him, and the most satisfactory results are expected from his ertiise. Besides his other duties he has been d nated to act as # commissioner to adjust 4 contro- versy iu reference to the boundary line between the British possessions in Afri nd Liberia, SUAVEY OF THE AMAZON. An expedition of a character somewhat kindred to this was'titted out during last summer, with the Ea- terprise, under the command of Commander Thomas O. Selfridge. Reulizing the obligation of omit- ting nothing in its power to open up com- mercial intercourse between all parts of South ica und the United States, the depart: directed a survey of the azon and Madeira rivers. The importance of these rivers as natural out- lets for the internal commerce of that county cannot be overestimate: with the Atlantic, and the Re ple of that country beginning to realize the benefits they will deri from an encouragement of their navigation. A com: pany organized in the United States is now engaged in constructing a railroad around the falls of the Madeira, which, wheu completed, will enable our merchants to carry on large and profitable trade with the iuterior. It was deemed important that before this trade should be developed the people of Bolivia should be convinced that it would be to the mutual advantage of both countries if commercial intercourse was established between them and the people of the United States, THE NONTHERN LAKES, The Michigan has boen employed for a number of yeurs upon ghe northern lakes. The question whether ” or not the arrangement of April 24, 1817, in reference to the naval forces of Great Britain and the United States on tho lakes, remains still in turee or has been terminated the joint resolution of Congress approved February” 9, 1865, must rost up the decision of Congress. The diplomatic gayements between the two governments since the passage of the joint resolution have been considered directory to the department, and in con- sequence the Michigan has been kept in commission and continued in the service for which she wus de- signed. ‘The vessel is now very much out of repair, and requires extensive work to be done upon her in order to keep her in condi- tion for service if the obligation of 1817 remains in force. This would require a large expenditure of money, and it would probably be more economical to sell her and apply the proceeds, as far as they would 0, to building # new ship for this special service, hese questions axe respectfully submitted to Con-’ gress. BSUIMALES, ‘The appropriations of the presont year having been this far, like those of the last, applied to the ordinary expenses of the service and to such repaits of vessels as are absolute ssury, and it having been found that they are sufficient for this purpose, the depart- mient has not felt itself justified in going beyond them in the estimates for the uext fiseal year, ‘These esti- mates are shown by the following tabio Pay of the navy... as Pay of civil establishment Ordnance and Torpedo vo Coal, hemp and equipmen Navigation and navigation s Hydrographic work. Naval rvatory Ni Repair Steam Provisions for the navy. es a 1,200,000, Repairs of hospitals aud ratori te) 80,000 Surgeons’ necessaries and Naval Hospital PUDG a cceeeeeemeere They connect Bolivia | NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1878.-WITH SUPPLEMENT. Contingent expenses of bureans... Naval Academy ! Support of | Naval Asylun Mainienane Repairs, ‘Total... 562,381 Tt will b amount is 49 75 in excess of the appropriations for the present year. ‘This is for the benefit of the Murine corps and the Naval Academy, ‘The former is mide ts necessary on account of the longevity ‘sand privates; that of oflicers on the re- gers; pay to soldiers for leader the department and . o 105,009 1a puy of offi tired list; pay of ¢' for clothing und of the band, an ‘Whe latter is usd of one mechanic on account of ry; asivall increase of watch on account of his hay top duties; an increase for the expenses of the Board of Visitors, and pay of un udditional machinist neces- sary in the department ot steam enyincering, No part of the excess is on account of the uavy proper. BXPENDITULES, The amount of appropriztions applicable to the current expenses for the fiscal yoar ended June 30, 1878, was $14,485,152 30, The actual expense, exclu- rive deticie: during that period, — was. 313, Of the mnexpended balince on hand June 30, 1878, there remains $501,272 09 to the credit of the bureaus of eqaip a ards und docks, ordnance, tion, construction and repairs, steam cuginesring, provisions and clothing, and medicine and surgery. The appro- priatious available for the present fiscal year com- Mencing July 1, 1878, sre $14,528,431 70. “The whole amount drawn, trom the ‘Treasury from July 1 to November 1, 148, is $4,740,554 14; refunded the same period, $70,240 75, which deducted from the amount drawn’ will show the actual expenditures from July 1 to November 1, 1878, to have been $4,084,563 39, ‘The expenditure during, the same period was $5,190,452 showing that of the present year to have been $520,809 24 less than lust year, From the tubles contained in the report it will, the Secretary says, be seen that the total esti of the last fiscal year, including the amount appropri- ated for the deficiencies of the previous year, were $17,468,892 65, ater deducting the deficiencies of 1877 and 1878, which were $4,161,478 56, ‘The uinount chargeable to the expenditures of the your was $13,308,914 09, which was $767,199 18 leas than the actual expenses of the previous’ year and $4,928,677 74 less than the expenditures, including tho deficiencies of thut year, and $4,630,430 63 leas than the expenditures of the year ended June 30, 1876. RELATIONS OF THE NAVY TO COMMERCE. Secretary Thompson next discusses the relations of the navy to commerce. He says:— In my last annual report the attention of Congress was directed to the condition of our commerce and the relations borne to it by the navy. Our rapidly in- creasing exports since that time lave demonstrated that this country must become the greatest producing country in the world. ‘The area of our improved lands is annually enlarging, keeping pace with our rapidly increwsing population, and giving as- surance thut the surplus of our agricul- tural and manufacturing products will become correspondingly greater every year. Consequent upon this the skill of our manufacturers, artisans and laborers will in the future of our history be called into still further requisition. And, as expe- rience-has shown that no nation can afford to leave its commerce unguarded upon the seas, the duty of protecting ours is now greater and more urgent than it has ever been before. This duty is confided to the legislative de; nent of the government, and it would be unjust to assume that under any exigency of our affairs it will not be discharged. The Secretary at very considerable length refers to the legislation of this country in regard to commerce and the regulation of our cousting trade, and pays at. tention to the decrease in our tonnage and occan carrying trade, which began in 1861 and has continued until during the present year the former large per- centage in our fayor has been decreased to 26.3 per cent of freightage, and in the transportation of passengers we retain only 6.7 per cent, whereas we formerly carried all. The Secre- tary’s reference to the dissdvantages under which this country labors in relation to the carrying trade of the world are voluminous, and he shows our de- pendency upon foreign nations for the transportation of our surplus productions to the markets of the world. He says:— If it is to become a part of our settled policy that our commercial marine shall remain in this con- dition of inferiority upon the ocean, and this drain upon our wealth is to continue, we shall be left to decide the future of our navy with reference only to the possibility of war with foreign Powers and to the means of our national defence by proper pro- tection to our coasts and harbors. nu this event our industrial interests must be left to suffer still further tegies Our iron, coal and timber will decrease in value. The enormous freights we now pay will continue to press upon the producers of our surplus exports. Our merchant vessels will in the end be entirely driven from the sea, and such un- just and ruinous limitation will then be put upon the enterprise of our pcople that their inventive genius will be restrained and their labors left with- of out just reward, If all this is to be sccom- lished the policy which produces it must ¢ based upon the idea that the navy bears no relation whatever to our commerce, and that the latter can reach every part of the world and encounter all the rivalries and vicissitudes of trade without any protection from it. If, on the other hand, the gov- ernment shall adopt such measures as shall put the country in # position to reap the full benefits of its commercial enterprise and secure the profits of our own carrying trade, which properly belongs to us, by means of such, foster- ing care as the national government alone has power to give, then our navy should have such strength and character given to it that it will be able to furnish protection to our commerce wheresocver it may be needed. Our -prenent navy is or can be made, without any other than the current annual approprietions—according to the gxpenditures of the last and the estimates for the present and next fiscal year—amply sufficient to protect our commerce in the present stage of its development. But as our surplus productions are aunually in- creasing and must be transported to foreign markets, or become a total loss on our own hands, the ques- tion whether or not the navy shall be im; novel so as to provide for this state of anticipated develop- ment, must either now, or at some time in the near future, be decided by Congress, Although it cannot be properly considered without reference to the con- dition of the Treasury aud its ability to supply addi- tional appropriations, yet it becomes an important factor in deciding it to remember that if even the $90,000,000 paid for freights during the last fiscal yeur to vessels sailing under foreign flags had been retained at home and allowed to become part of our national wealth, our ability to meet and overcome the embarrassients of trade would have been proportionately increased. This sum, if saved and judiciously expended, would alone be ‘suficient to make our commercial marine equal to that of Groat Britain and our navy superior to any in the world, THE NAVAL ACADEMY. With reference to the Naval Academy theSecretary says:— ‘The attention of Congress is specifically invited to the report of the Board of Visitors to the Naval Ac- ademy, wherein it is shown that this atmirable insti- tution continues to entitle itself to the public favor. The system of education is complete in all ite de- partments, and its means of fitting the cadets for official position in the navy cam be too highly appreciated, In all the departments of study the proficiency of ithe cadets is in the highest degree satisfactory. however, In to insure more efficiency in that navigation and gunnery, it is a make the exercises somewhat morc ing to the military drilly on shore evolutions upon water similar to those practised upon vessels at It is believed that by this means cadet midship- men will bo better prepared to profit by their prac- tice cruise, and that when they reach the grade of inssters, at the end of two yoars after graduation, they will be more competent to discharge their duties on board of men-ol-war at sea, ‘Those duties invoive both theoretical and practical knowledge of seaman- ship, and upon the manner and efliciency of their dis- charge the safety of both vessels apd cxews may frequently depend. ps have been taken to inaugurate this method of discipline and training, and the department expects to be able, with the means at its control and without any special appropriation for that purpose, to perfect it within a reasonable time, It will require one or two sailing vessals and sev- eral ateam luuaches, One of the latter has already been supplied, and when others are putin readi- ness these vessels wilt furnish the means of affording instruction to cadet engineers in the prac- tical duties of thoit profession, and the cadeu qun- erally will be exercised im steam tactics, of whieh they have hitherto been deprived by the absence of these tacilitics. NAVAL CONMLACCTORS. It is desirable in the highest deyree that special care should be taken in the professional training and education of naval constructors. — Well educated and competent constrictors are absolutely necessary for the navy. If we are to meet other governments tipon equal terms upon the ocean, vithcy in peace or wat, we should be propaved todo so with ships equal tds theirs both in sailing and fighting quaiit There is but one way of doing this, and that is by providing wa corps of competent naval constructors, The law, as it now stands, makes no provision for the elucation of such a corps, and I feel it to be my duty to renow the recommendation in my last annual report on this subject. ‘The provisions of the statute having references to eugines with a few nocessury modifications if applied to constructors, would accomplish the desired object, end they eould be educated at the Aendemy like cadet engineers, with special reference to the details of their professional duty. Every argument in favor of buildiug model engines by cadets applies with equal force to the con+ struction of model ships, vue NAVY YARDS. Upon the subject of our navy yards it is remarked in the report that the limited moans placed at the dis- posal of tue department for the preservation ond repair of the several navy yards has been disposed of during the year with commendable discretion on the part ot the officers having them in charge. id econ has been practised, and no other work has been ¢ than what was fonnd necessary to prevent decay anil waste, Like appropriatious for the next fiscal your will be similorly applied if it is t waste of ( gress that the yards shall be no further improved, and tho estimates havo been made with this view, although orde vt the department feels constrained to say that this will e many of them without improvements eonsid- ly necessary catly expose the pub- yard to the & ' y Yard tho Secretary says that only the most urgent work has been done, and much that could have profitably done if theappropriation had been suticient bes been omitted. ‘The whole amount expended during the year under this branch of the service wus $54,630's3, While this yard is in good condition, ang is one of the best in the country on account of its adimirable location and the skill of its mechanics, yet there are several frame buildings in a dilspidated condition and subject to be destroyed by fire, for which more substantial ones should be substituted, Besides this a flow of water has been secured, which, with proper whout the yard, mild be reudily ex- <6 cannot be made five Chat iniy! But these iaprov od appropriations. wn (Mass.) yard is in admirable condition, and the management of those having it in charge is satistuctory. It has every facility for the construction and repair of vessels, and its ropewallk is believed to be unsurpassed in tho world. ‘Lhe total expenditure amounted to $20,927 17. t the New London yard the sum expended has been small in conseqnence of the limited improve- ts heretofore miudo, and amounts only to 02, which has been used for materials, repairs of officers’ quarters and labor, ‘This yard bas been left in an nti ued condition, never having been fitted up for the coustruction or’ repair of vessels or for any branch of manufactures necessary to the naval service, Whether this shall or s! not be | done in the future depends upon the direction of Congress. ‘THE BROOKLYN YARD. ‘This yard has been kept in its present good con- dition by the utmost care’ in management, the economical improvement of street roads und wharves, and by the necessary repairs of buildings. Tho work, like that at Charlestown, has been of @ general and miscellaneous character, suitable to the condition of the yurd. The whole sum expended during the year is $119,501 90. order, however, to muke such other improvements at this yard as are demanded by its position on the harbor of New York, much of the work now in pro- gress will have to be continued. At the jue Island yard very important and ma- terial work has been done, and but for a recent treshet its general condition would have been greatly improved. The work has necessarily been of ® varied character, as the yard bas never yet been put in as complete a state of repzir as some of those that have been longer established. ‘Lhe total expenditure was $219,445 76. The condition of this yard should command the serious uat- tention of Congress. Its position in relation to tho iron and coal fields of Pennsylvania, and its extensive, deep water front on the Delaware River, combine to render it sccond to no yard in the country. If left in its present unfinished condition the property already accumulated there will rapidly deteriorate in value, and the advanteges conteuiplated by its location will be in danger of uiti- mate loss. ‘At the Washington City yard the repairs have not been us extensive us were required, but have been of a valuable character, confined to buildings, streets, shiphouse and wharves. The sum of $74,529 20 has been expended and all economically applied, under the most careful and circumspect management. ‘At the Gosport or Norfolk yard the amount ex- pended has been sinall compared with its value and importance, being only $76,678 01. A much larger sum could have been advantageously used in consequence of the absolute neces- sity for timber sheds. Without these the large amount of timber collected there is exposed to the weather und is rapidly decaying. ‘The annual loss by this means is almost enough to erect sufficient sheds, but the department is unable to do this without more liberal appropriations, Such appropriations would undoubtedly be good economy. "At the Pensacola yard the amount expended during the yeur for an iron floating dock, authorized by Con- gress, was $461,788, which been paid out of the specific wppropriation for that purpose, This dock hus been built at Chester, Pa., and is now ready to be transported to the yard. Inasmuch, however, as there would be great danger of loss, owing to its great bulk and peculiar structure, if the attempt to transport were made without extreme caution, both us regards weather and. fitness of means for the purpose, it has been delayed, but will be done at as carly » period as possible. When it reaches there it will be a very necessary and important improvement in the condition of this yard, as it w: serving in the Gulf of Mexico. It will be the only dock upon the Gulf coast and the only one south of the Gosport Navy Yard. At the Mare Island yard the whole amount ex- pended during the year was $102,608 86, of which $3,448 was applied to yard improvements. So far as these were concerned the work has been done in a very satisfactory manner, aud the yard is in as good condition as could be expected under existing circum- stances. ‘This being the only yard upon the Pacific coast the necessity for putting it in the best possible condition for the construction and repair of ships is considered imperative. It must always be the point to which all our vessels in the Pacific and the Chinese sous will be carried for and these cannot be satisfactorily made unless the yard is put in condition and kept #0. THR TORPEDO. ‘The Secretary says the torpedo Hus ome abso- the effectiveness to any modern posts essential to system of naval warfare, and that this terrible instru- ment has been carried to such perfection that a small shell filled with a few handfuls of composition will utterly destroy the est ship in the world, The torpedo can be as easily exploded below the water as upon its surface either concussion a or electricity, and by whichsoever of these modes it may be done it is Lv ably as effective for the defence of harbors and ships as it ever will be. The Ord- nance Bureau has availed itself of every means at its command to facilitate the necessary experiments and inventions, und these, made at compuratively small cost, have already been so perfected as to promixe increased improvement in the fu- ture. Captain Ericsson has constructed a partially submerged and armored vessel intended for greater speed than any iron-clad and capable of projecting » ubmarine shell with great velocity and accuracy to a distance of 300 or 400 yards, which is probably as far as any offensive torpedo is likely to be effective at sca. Some preliminary trials have been made by the inventor, and a board has been or- dered by the department, at his request, for an official test when it is ready for trial. The same torpedo can be effectively employed trom any vessel fitted with » tube above or below the water and the machinery for ejavting the torpedo. EDUGATION OF BOYS, The potent says that too much importanc not be attached to the system of educating bo: the purpose of manning ships of war with trained seamen. It is & permanent force available for an, class or kind of ships; but in order to perfect an place the system on a permanent basis it will require the enactment of a law au- thorizing tho enlistment of 750 boys annually, at un expense not exceeding $90,000 per annum, for the purpose of manning the Anrican navy with an intelligent, thoroughly trained and educated class of American seainen, who will feel all the obligations aud responsibilitics of citizeuship. It matters net where these boys are born, their training under the national flag will instil into their minds the duty of its protection against all possible foes, THE MARINE CORPS. . Inasmuch as the appropriations asked for the Ma- rine corps are small compared to the wervices ren- dered, the department hopes that the corps will be liberally dealt with by Congress. ‘The number of men is now so limited that it is exceedingly difficult to supply ships at sea yards and stations with the neces- | sary number of men, and unless the department has power to do this the public service must suiter. PENKION ROLL. ‘The report shows there were on the navy pension rolls June 30, 1878, invalids 1,781, and navy widows and others 1,705, and tho amount paid $602,790 91. By com paring this statement with that of the last iscal year it is seen that the numer of pensiouers has in- creased 47; that the sum thoy are entitled to draw has increased $26, 45, while the total amount actually paid to pensioners has decreased $304,979 64. The Secretary, for reasons stated, recom- juends that the interest on the navy pension fund be hereafter inereased to at least four per cent, 60 thét the investments may Le made in bonds of that clita, S NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, Portemourit, N. H., Nov. 28, 1878, ‘The Tallapoosa has arrived at the Navy Yard, with engines and machinery for the Lancaster. SEIZURE OF AN AMERICAN VESSEL BY A CHILIAN CRUISER--A QUESTION OF DISPUTED TERRI- ‘TORY. Brexos Aynus, Oct, 24, 1978. Great excitement has been created by the seizure, by the Chilian corvette Magallanes, of the American bark Devonshire, Captain Saco, while loading guano at the Isiand of Monte Leoue, with a license from tho Argentine government, The island lies six miles south of the river Santa Cruz, in the south part of Patagonia, in the disputed territory. The Devonshire had alicerise to loud 800 tons, issued to Augnet M. Veutury, of Buenos Ayres, She had on board 750 tons of guano wheu the Chilian corvette Magallanes came in, Cetober 11, ‘The corvette, fading the captain and loaders ashore, waited a day for their return, bat, as they did not putin an appearance, then took the bark in tow aud carried her to Punta Arenas, in the Straits, The charterers, on receiving intelligenc October 14, telegraphed to General Osborne, at Rosa- rio, and to the Minister iu Ohi, protesting against the seizure, The Argentine government has also tel- egrephed to the Chilian government. PALAGONIAN GOVERNOR, By decree Colonel Alvaro de Barros has been ap- pointed Governor of Patagonia, and it is said the two iron-chdls Plata and Andes are to convey him to his post. STRIKE OF ‘ONECUTTERS. Mowrueat, Nov. 28, 1878, Sixty stonccutters, employed on Section Three of the Lachine Canal, struck for higher wages. b furnish the means of docking ships |* TRANSPORTING INDIAN a SUPPLIES, FAILURE OF AN EXPERTME MENT-—INDIAN Por AND ENDIAN DRIVERS A YAILURE—TROUDLE ANTICIPATED AT RED CLOUD—A CHANCE YOR THE CONTRACTORS, (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Yankton, D. T., Nov, 28, 1878. ‘There is trouble ahead with the Red Cloud Tudians, An army officer reports 1,000,000 pounds of supplies at the old agency buildings on the Missouri. ‘This must be transported back into the country a distance of 200 miles to Red Cloud's present location, ° THY DIFFICULTIES, ‘The transportation train, numbering 100 wagons, has started out with 100,000 pounds. There are 100 Indian drivers, with their squaws, who accompany them as cooks, It will take at least one month to make the round trip, The Indians and ponies will subsist out of the 1,000 pounds loaded on wagon, A hundred miles of the country dover hus been burned clean by prairie fires mot furnish any forage. The ponies are de by the ollicers ‘as bits” uot strony cuough to baul the hat off2 man’s head. With bad w ter weather and the usual amount of snow, rang from one to ten feet in depth, these ponies must stick and the supplies en rvule be abandoned. Under the most favorable cirvumstances the Indians, with their trans- portation facilities, will occupy ten months to get their winter supplies through. ‘Their annuity goods, including the winter clothing, are still upon the river, There are 6,000 people dependant upon these supplies. My informant says it is u question whether the driver xnd his companion can haul sufficient to supply themselves and ponies on « round tripe If, meanwhile, contractors are called in the cost of trans- poriation will be more than the supplics aro worth. ‘THE INDIAN DRIVERS. ‘The Indian driver gets $30 per month, and if that is deducted froin the appropriation for his supp gs the Commissioner says it will be, the fn will be dissatisfied. Some Indian transportation wagons on the trail to Spotied Tail have already been abandoned. Bids have been asked for transportation of 500,000 pounds from Yancton to Spotted ‘fail, 200 miles over the roughest kind of aroad. ‘The contract will be let to-morrow. The conundrum is, Why is all this transportation left till winter and the Dakota contractors? Gencral Hammond, the Indian inspector, is now at Pine Ridge, Red Cloud’s camp; investigating tho conduct of the azent, Dr. Irwin, who did so inuch to move the Indians away from the river, IME, ST OF "THE DRP. A YOUNG WHITE LADY ASSAULTED AND WOUNDED BY A DESPERATE NEGRO-—-LYNCHERS ON HIS ‘TRACK. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] Raueran, N, C., Noy. 28, 1878. On the evening of November 21 an assault was made upon Miss Martha Johnson, the daughter of a respectable farmer in Boonhill township, Johnston county, by a negro, The assault was most brutal. The negro went to the house ubout four o'clock in tho afternoon, when no one was there but Miss John- son, and, after first asking for a drink of water, made impropor advances to the young lady, who became very indignant. ‘The villain then seized the lone girl ‘and attempted to force her. Her resistance was de- termined. ‘Che negro drew a knife and threatencd to | murder her unless she would submit. He cut her twice about the shoulders with the knife, and then attempted to stab her in the breast, which sho prevented by seizing the knife, by which her right hand was severely wounded. During the scuffle the cries of the young lady were heard by one of tho neighbors, and when he came to her assistance the negro had almost succeeded in overpowering Miss Johnson. On the arrival of the neighbor the negro fled. ‘TRACKING AND ARRESTING THE CRIMINAL, News of the uffair soon spread and a vigilance com- mittee was organized to search for the criminal. Sev- cral negroes wore arrested by the committce and car- ried before the lady, but none were identified. 'The vigilance committes openly asserted their intention of lynching the negro whenever the right one should becaught. Yesterday a large, very black negro, named Crumel Atkinson, was arrested in Oberiin, a negro settlement near this city, on suspicion. 'Hé was taken to Johnston county and identified by Miss Jdhnson as her assailant, He had a preliminary hearing before th magistrate and was sent on to juil fo await the action of the Grand Jury, Great excitement prevailed, and the officer had to summon &@ posse to his assistance to prevent the lynching of Atkinson, who is now in juil at Smithfield, the county seat, and a strong guard has been placed there for the rotection of the prisoner. Miss Johnson is a whito fay, very beautiful, aged ninctocn, ‘Her family in highly respectable. ' She lived near Princeton, on the North Carolina Railroad, Atkinson is known as a brutal and desperate char- acter. Intelligence of his taking off by lynchers may be expected at any moment. 'TAZEWELL'S DISGRACE. MUTILATORS AND MURDERERS OF JACK- SON PROTECTED BY LOCAL OFFICERS, [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Brisror, Tenn., Noy. 28, 1878, The concealment of the RogersCaywoog party somewhere in Claiborne county is now conceded, aud that they are seeking to either compromise or pur- chase immunity by bribing the Kentucky authorities and suborning witnesses. They are sanguine of | doing this. The law-ubiding citizens are shocked at the want of enterprise exhibited by Kentucky au- thorities, armed as they are with Governor Porter's requaition and authority to arrest. ‘The officers of | Claiborne are in full sympathy with the outlaws and know their whereabouts, It is said the de- tectives who came to Tasewell in uest of them are talking of compromising with them for @ nominal consideration. I do not vouch for this, but the fact of no effort being made to ar- rest them gives plausibility to the allegation. Deter- niined detectives could easily secure them, and the failure of the $2,000 reward to stimulate them to it gives color to the report that the murderers have outbid the reward. This crime of torture and mur- der seems to have no parallel even among the fiendish atrocities of Indians, and the continued prese of the perpetrators within half a day’s ride of THE scene of their cruelty and shamo is one gt the crowning disgraces | of | the, period. The serif of the county, instead of secking their arrest, took them to his residence to board, and rode about the county in company with thein for their protection. ‘Attempts have been made to circulate the lief that the purty took tho train at Lenoir and Con- cord stations, west of Knoxville, on the night of the 6th. ‘They are, however, acercted in the hills of Clair- borne, snd if the Kentuckians can be bulidoaed or Dought up, or witnesses suborned, they will again stalk forth in the county. Rogers is one of Chancel- lor Smith’s pots, and Caywood is another party official, It ia hoped Circuit Judge Rose will remove hin. ‘THE ‘TOBACCO FACTORY FIRE, LIST OF THE INSURANCES—ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. [hy TELEGRAPH To THE HERALD.) Perensnvnc, Va., Nov. 23, 1873, ‘The insuraace on the tobacco factory of William Cameron & Brother, destroyed last night by fire, | was distributed among the following named compa- nies in the suins respectively stated :—Virginia Fire and Morine, Richmond, $3,050; Petersburg Savings $5,000; Connecticut, Hartford, Queen, $12,561; Fire delphia, $5,000; Phenix, rth British and Mereantih inburgh, $10,250; Williamsburg i, $7,087; Atlantic, New York, hattun, New York, $4, Faneuil $1,250; Westchoster, $4,003; Granite, Le pooland Globe, reinsurance, $10,700; Mechanics’ Company, Richmond, Va., $2,635: mouth Insurance Company, $2,031; Imperial North- crn Insurance Company, Condon, $5,000, ORIGIN OF TH: FIRS. ‘The origin of the fire remains @ mystery. The | flamox were first discovered in the dtying room, over | the engine room, ‘The fire is believed to have been wholly accidental, It is stated that the loss will | ainount to $50,00) more than the insurance covers. The Cameron factory was once before burned, when occupied ae a North Carolina hospital by the Confed- erates in 18962, A negro named Morgan was hanged for setting it on fire, NORTH CAROLINA CONGRESSMEN, A LIVELY TIME EXPECTED TO-DAY OVER THE | CONTESTZD DISTRICTS —NOTICES OF PROTESTS. (BY TEL Gara TO TA HERALD.) Raneian, N ov. 28, 1878, The State Board of Can vassers, composed of the | Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of Stato aud two State Senaiors here to-day to canvays the Congressional returns and issue certificates, O'Hara, republican, from the Second district, will contest te right of Kitehen, democrat, and Yeattes, demo willcontest Martin's right from the First district. All parties were representet by able counsel. It being Thenksgiving D. however, the Hourd ad- journed till to-morrow, When a lively time is ex- pected. +Preespcne, Pa, Nov, 28, 1878, A boiler explosion oecurred near Dunbar, Pa, this afternoon, by, which Richard Evans, Daniel Gar- on and J, J, Miller were instantly killed; Joseph 1 mortally, end ten others seriously injured. 1 go sleep had been for some time w stranger. | sent for. | vp to him saving, “Your money or your life.’ ) bim. MURPHY'S TEMPERANCE WORK. REMARKABLE SCENE IN THE STREET METHODIST HPISCOPAL CHULCH—A FREE LUNCH PROVIDED FOR THE RZFORMER'S IN- SOLVENT CONSTITUENCY. ‘The announcement that a free feed would be fur- nished to whoever wanted one at the Murphy course of temperance exercises had the eXect of filling the Seventh Sireet Methodist Episcopal Church, early yesterday forenoon, with a singularly mixed congre- mu. Many of those present had evidently come trom their roosts ia # hurry and omitted making anything like a toilet, ‘Their faces were alien to soap and water, and their clothes appeared to have been pitched on with a hayfork, and in the absence of buttons were held together with pins. Some who sat in the front seuts seemed to have been spending a convivial time over night and were easily moved to merriment. They looked upon Mr, Murphy as a first class comedian and laughed heartily every time he spoke and smiled. Others were without any vis- ible trace of linen about their persons, and were hag- gard and weary, with bloodshot eyes, to which A majority looked us if a free lunch would agree with them to a nicety, and the sooner it was ready the more welcome, ‘There were a score or #0 of ladies in the body of the church and in the galleries, and several respectable apostles or the temperance cause were on the plat- form, Judge Gritiith, a police magistrate of Troy, an address on the evil fruits of intemperance, relating the story ofainan in Troy, who had reached the very lowest depths in the carcer of the drunkard, but who was rescued by Mr. Murphy when on u visit there at one time, and now was « flourishing and re- ¢ spectad cit with a credit account at the bank. | After some singing and playing by the Wilson duct and the choir # little girl came forwarnt with an enve- lope for Mr. Murphy, on opening which he announced that it was a contribution of $1 to provide aires lunch for the poor men in attendance. Dollar bills, after this, were handed in by @ score of people for the xame obj: und the pastor of the ston Rev. Mr. Keller, pledged himself to be good for 150 lunch tickets. Vigorous and suggestive applause followed "s hospitable proc] ion. y," said Mr, Murph ‘ail you who desire a meal hold up your hands,” und up went the digits of almost ever in trout of him, which created much amusement, especinlly us the ‘speaker looked for aTnoment bewildered, as it he feared there was not enough shot in the locker to go round. There- upon an enthusiastic lady in the audience announced. herself good for fifty lunches more, und it was then clear that no one would be le?t unprovided for. The lunch tickets were for a meal each at certain restau- rants on the Bowery. ‘I'wo gentlemen were appointed to distribute then: ut the entrance as those who wented them passed out into the street. The best part of the congregation turned eagerly toward the door and an eager but good natured crush followed. Those who got their tickets hastened away at the double quick, and the restaurants in the neighborhood were soon full of custo:uers, A hunured or so remained in the church and the mecting was kept going. raking to the HuRALD reporter, Mr. Murphy said that about five thousand people had already signed the pledge. “Did they belong to any particular class?" “No, they embraced all classes and included quite a number of women.”” id “When do you expect to conclude your labors?” “A week trom next Monday. After that I shall take a rest.” “Do you expect all your converts to temperance will kecp their pledges?” “Not all. Wuen some men suddenly give up drink and have no means of substituting stimulating food and no friends to encourage them they get weak and disheartened and are easily tempted to renew their acquaintance with rum, It is u pity these men who spend imillions on churches, ibreries, tombstones and the like don’t appropriate a little charity to sav- ing the human lives that are every day going down to the pit of hell for want of sympathy and exertion on the part of their tellow men; but I suppose Burns’ line will always tell the fact that ‘man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn.’ ” EVENING NESSION. At the evening session the church was as full of people as it could conveniently hold, a large propor- tion beg women. Judge Griltith, who spoke im the forenoon, made # more stirring and extended address, which, at its conclusion, was long and loudly up- plauded, He related what a hard case he was when widicted to drink, the misery he endured and the great contrasting happiness that totul abstinence brought to him, He dwelt especially upon the im- portance, even trom a material point of view, of hayv- ing a character for sobriety. At the conclusion of his speech Mr. Murphy an- nounced # muss meeting in the Cooper Institute for Sunday evening, and then introduced a gentleman, named Mr. Edward Foote, of Springfield, Mass., who related how, for twenty-three years, he had never spent a sober Thanksgiving till this one, and how he was indebted for his rescue to Brother’ Murphy, of whom he spoke with great enthusiasm. — Scveral othar speakers followed, and at the close # large num- ber of men. and some women went forward and signed the pledge. STABBED ON THE BATTERY. FIGhT WITH A TARGET COMPANY-—AN INNOCENT LAD DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED. While a target company, composed of Washington Market boys and their friends, was marching along Battery place on its way to the Staten Island ferry John Kenny, a led of seventeen, residing in Wash- ington street, who happened to be a spectator standing at the corner of Greenwich street, was, it is feared, fatally stabbed by a surly looking fellow named John Redden. The latter did Not belong to the target company, but though unacquainted with the shootists insisted upon follow- ing them. He been repeatedly told to “clear out of the ranks,” wntil finally, when reaching the Bat- tery, he was put out. While standing near one of the trees, still making remarks quite uncomplimentary to the target company members, some of the latter threatened to punish him for his uncalled for interference. le did not mind their threats, and threatened to stab any one that dared to orate rg fhecigepena oh followed, when, un- fortunately, in pusi and jostli: young Kenny, who happened to be auite near, var thrown | against Redden. The latter made his threat and plunged a large size pocket knife into Kenny's | abdomen. The poor lad fell bleeding fesrfully, with the knife still imbedded in his body, and was at once taken to Dr. Shine, a resident of State, street, where his wound was dressed and his relatives were at once The father, who is quite a citizen, residing in Washington strect, was in coming to the place, where he found his only son still bleeding, aud had him, after sume delay, re- moved to his home. Oficer Scanlon, on duty in that vicinity, after hav- ing cared for the wounded, at once jumped on the Staten Island ferryboat, where Redden had taken refuge, and arrested hin. He took his prisoner at once to the bedside of Kenny, who at once identitied him as the fellow who had stabbed him.. In fact, later in the day Redden adimitted that he bad committed the deed, saying, “I stabbed him,” and became quite anxious about the condition’ of his antagonist. He claims, however, that he acted in self-defe: ashe says “a whole gang” was aftor him, He al denies that he took the knife out with the intention of stabbing any one, but says that when he was driven out of the ranks and took up his ‘ition near the Battery tree he began to cut a piece of wood, and happened to have the knife in his hand when the assault was made upon him. Young Kenny's wound is betieved to be fatal, and at a late hour last evening he was in quite a precarious condition, A REAL TRAGEDY. Daniel Brasel, a newsboy, fourteen years of age, Hv- ing at No. 35 Oak street, was accidentally shot by a companion on Wednesday night near the Roosevelt atrov$ ferry house, It appears that his companion car- ried a revolver aud would often act portions of the play of “Buffalo Bill" and other pieces of that kind, and would sometimes bring the revolver into of in his | personations. Bravel Lad just sold his last paper | and was counting over his money when his | companion, secing him, put on @ fiendish look, | pulled out and cocked the revolver and stalked ‘Thinking that the weapon was not loaded he pulled the trigger. A report was heard and Brasel tell, The | ball entered the left side and struck the collar bene, bresking it. As soon as his companion saw what he had done be became frightened ond begged Brasel not to have him arrested, as he did not mean to shoot ‘The case was reported at the Fourth preciuet aid Captain Petty caused a search to be made tor the oung tragedian, but he has not been caught as yet. Prasel's father would not allow his son to bo taken t the hoxpital, ending him at home. Au attempt was mad aly but without avail, Braset’s recovery is SELLING BOGUS TICKETS. ried “Tickets for wale” at the Cathedral fair last evening was John Toomey, who said he resided at Num- bers of people wore ready to buy their tickets from him, but atterward thought it advisable to purchase theit tickets at the oftice inside the chancel. But to- wartl seven o'clock the oilice in the Cathedral was crowded and Toomey eagerly solicited people visiting the fair to buy bis tickets, “He sold two wad was il the act of selling more when William Koolne, of No. a6. East Pourtcenth street, stepped up to him and asked him where he got the trekets which he was selling. He repliet that he bought them as he bought other tickets which he was accustomed to sell. Koehne showed him that the — tick- ets which he had were counterfeits, The pastoboard was heavicr than the regular tickets, and the printing On them was less deep. Toomey was handed over to Officer Cummings, of the Nineteenth precinct station house, where he was locked up, Among the loudest whe THE TERRIBLE ARGH, Sir George Campbell’s Views on Bea- consfield’s War Policy. VICTORY WORSE THAN DEFEAT, Danger to England From the Jingo Madness, Aubin While the gray mists of dawn still hung over the bay and the city yesterday morning a tall figure ina plaid ulster and a tourist's cap made its way on board the White Star steamer Republic, at pier No, 52 North River, A Hrracp reporter recognized in the stranger Sir € Campbell, member of Parliament for Kir- caldy and ex-Governor General of Bengal, whose speeches on Ludian matters have excited such wide attention. Early us was the hour all was bustle on board the vessel, for she was to sail at eight o'clock sharp, and tho decks were thronged with passengers and leave-taking friends, The reporter made himself known to Sir George, and, withdrawing to a some what quict corucr, held a brief conversation witk hintconvemning the Afghan difficulty in which Great Britain is at prese ved, “I still adher George, “to the opinions I have expressed in the House of Commons and every- where clse throughout this whole discussion, Iam not a military man—though I have secn a good deal of the present sort of thing—and I don’t profess to judge from a@ military point of view whether it is right or not right to advance the frontier; but from a political and financial standpoint I entertain very strong opinions. Supposing it to be granted that from 4 purely military point of view it might be right to advance the frontier, supposing Afghanistan to be a country in which the people at all resemble those of India or of the portion of the Himalayas which at all resembles India. A NATION OF SOLDIERS, “You have in Afghanistan a very mountainous country, which, as the late Dost Mohamed used to say, produces only two things—stones and men; and the difficulty is not so much the military question as the dilemma in which we shall be put when we should have gained the country, if we do gain it, It is a case in which victory will be very perilous, and, indeed, worse than defeut, because the country can yield us nothing. Every Afghan is born to fight from his youth upward, and you must keep soldier to look after cach conquered subject, while the country wil? yield no revenue to pay for them. ‘The policy which is now being pursued is absolutely identical with that which was followed just forty years ago; but theo we had a Russo-phobian panic on eccount of the Rus- sian advance to Khiva and the mission of the Russian officer to Afghan, and we fancied that the then ruler, Dost Mohamed, father of the present man, was un- friendly, and, while we did not wish to take posses. sion of the country, we sought to set upa friendly, im stead of an unfriendly ruler. We found then « friendly ruler,a refugee in our territory, and with little difficulty we set him up, but having set him up we found that our difficulties were only just’ begun, tor the Afghans, who never before united on any mor: tal thing whutever, became at once united to resist the man who was supported by foreign power. TOO HOT TO BE HELD. “After two or three years we found the country fas too hot for us, and aftera series of disasters with which the world is familiar we were only too glad ta get out of it. We are now repeating exactly ‘die part we played on that occasion, The history of the present year might be told in the same words io which the opening of the former campaign is de scribed, Supposing we shal! have an e: military success, which may or may not be, weokould in any case find itr pus to the business of India, because since the mutiny we have not been the great military Power that Lord Beaconsfield and the Jingo party scem to suppose. On the cont » since we have discovered thet we cannot trust native we have been obliged, for both financial and rea sons, to reduce our army to a point which is vei little more than sufficient to hold the country. We cannot put # large army in the fleld; we have no re — und if we had we have no money to pay for “Are these views held ‘by any considerable portion of the British peuple ?”* asked the . “I believe,” replied Sir George, “that with, haps, the exception of Lord Beaconsfield, these co oa were held throughout by Her Majesty's government. ‘They certuiuly were the views of the representativer of the Indian department in the House of Commons and they have been supported always by me in up holding these views.’ LORD L¥TTON'S POLICY CONDEMNED. * “What do you think of the policy of Lord Lytton ?* “It seems to me that the end of the question hae been forced by His Lordship, who has put himself at the head of the extreme Jingo y, with or with. out the connivance of Lo Heaconsfield, Lord Lytton has always been exceedingly anxious to do what he has done now; but he was heretofore re- strained and forbidden by the home government, and things were quiet nntil the Russians threw a fly in the shape ot the re.ent mission to Cabul, which Lord Lytton yreedily swallowed, that being just the oppor- tunity he wanted to give him a pretext for indulgi in his aggressive policy. He made that the grou: for sending « mission to Cabul, and sending that mis sion he employed every device not to make it ao ceptable to the Ameer, but to make it reeable ta him in the highest degrec. He put at the head of tht comunission « soldier ot very high rank, well known as baving done more than sny other man iu the way of fighting Aizhan tribes, and sent with him a very ms ag military escort, making @ great show and parade and aitogether giving to the misrion not a peaceful charcter, but of the precise character wiich the Amer most appreheuded—namely, the character of a mission to dominate over him and to redace him to the position of one of the protected princ-s of India ‘That mission was sent on the responsibility of Lord. Lytton, not on that of Her Majesty's government, as appczrs in Lord Campboll’s despatch. Having sent @ mission, which was legal and properly constituted, and having it rejected and repulse Lord Lytton at lust had a eid for nvig out his own Russian pole icy, and, as [ suid, he has forced the hand of the gove erdment and got us into this war.” AS HAD AN THEE BOSNIAK. “Is the Ameer as formidable an enemy a8 hes been generally reported here, Sir George?” “Yes; Lord Grey was perfectly right in saying thee Afghanistan was equal to three Bosnias, without @ Christian population to assist us. good and obstinate “His subjects are said to be “fhe Afghans are not so much accustomed to Euros rks, fighters. Is that true?’ | pean war and not so united as the Tu although they aze quite as good soldiers. It ig vussibie that wi 7 id militury success, ut it is by no means ceriain, Should we be success. ful, however, our difticultios, as I xaid before, will only then begin in wood carnest. Whatever ruler we may set up Will, on that very ground alone, be hateful to the people of Afghanistan. It we «npport him it will i if we do not support hiv it will dim grace us.” SIR GROKGE'S IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICA. While this conversation was in progress the mist had lifted from the river and a few stray sunbeams breake ing through the clots gave pronuise of a fair day for the beginning of the voyage. ‘The veasel was to leava the pier at eight o'clock to the minute, and friends of passengers were notified to go ashore. Sit George seemed Unadected by the bustle and trom hia quict coraer took in the scene in the manuer of one who hud no pai lar interest in it. While the haw- sers were being cast off the reporter asked him what were the principal impressions of this country he had ——— 1 during his three months of unowtentations travel in it, “Oh! could not undertake to give them out of hand,” he answered, with alangh. “it's a big, big country, “Don't sve any rocks ahead of us, do you?” “No; I take a very hopeful view of the future of America, There are no really difficult social ques: tious between the blacks and the white population, ‘Thiv particular question comes to mind frat because I have spent most of my time in the South. Indeed, it was to see and study that section that I came over 1 have, however, been travelling a good deal in the North and West also, Zhe blacks in the South cam not do without the whites, and the whites in tura cannot dispense with the services of the blacks, #@ ae question will adjust itself,” Will you write a book on your return to Eng: land 2" asked the reporter, innocently, Sir George looked @ littl: surprised; then he bro pleasantly as he said, “I wou't say that I “You think you will, however ?”" “Well, Tusvaily make some use of my travels; 5 always ech of the steam whistle put am end to the conversation, A minute later the im mense steamer was steaming slowly down the river. NOTE FROM MR. DEVEREUX. Unica, Nov. 27, 1878, To raz Kpttor or ras Heranp:— It was not my intention to eay to your reporter, a is contained iu your issue of the 27th inst, that “al Hudson River counties, excepting Orange, are bad;" but that “some of the Hudson River counties, except ‘Tickets and cheeks for Niblo's Garden and the Brench ball, as well as about thirty Pair tickets, were found Yay Most of these men were on the roof of the boiler aoe erecting @ new stack when the explosion oc- eurred. upon him. It is suggested by the authorities at the fair that visitors should buy their tickets at the office in the Cathedral, ing Orany onnty, are bad according to reports um our office,” The above correction L consider impor. tant, and by publishing the sume you will muuch oblige yours, Xc., IO TREUS, Commissioner Fitth Judicial District