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0- BY direction of the War Department,
on Friday the lst day of October, the two twin
steam Snag Boats. the Samson and Sewer, with
portion of their tackle and machinery, were
sold at this place at public auction. They
brought in the aggregate, the sum of s., ,643.--
These boats were built at heavy expense to
the government in the year l843, and have
been lying idle at their moorings at this place
for several years, rendered useless by the ex-
press vetoes, and the pocket vetoes of Presi-
dents Tyler and Polk, Of river appropriation
bills AS these boats have been lying idle for
such a length of time, they have become quite
decayed and would soon become worthless Ell
ther for the purposes of the government or in
dividuals. If on the contrary they had been
used and kept in repair they would have lasted
for several years, and under the control and d.
rection of our friends Captain Tyson and Dill
lingham, would have saved an immense deal
of private and public property from destruc-
ton, as well as the lives of many citizens
But the conscience Of the Executive is such,
that he cannot subscribe to the construction
placed upon the Constitution by former demo-
cratic Administrations. The views of one
man must govern the whole. Not only have
these boats been deteriogating in value since
they have been lying up, but they have been
kept at considerable expense to the govern
ment. We heard gentleman say a few days
since, and one who has paid attention to the
subject. that from August, 1916, to August,
lS47, 81 steamboats, had either been totally
lost by snags, or very considerably damaged
with their cargoes, and many others of which


no notice had been taken. Two Of that number
had government stores which were totally lost,
and their value was nearly adequate to have
kept the snag boats in operation for one year,
and would have saved the lives Of many valu-
able citizens and an immense deal Of private
property.-Podacoh KentuekiGn.