State armory.
--The estimate of funds needed to meet engagements for the
State machinery under the contract with
Messrs. Joseph R. Anderson & Co., is as follows: 1st of March $20,000;1st of June $60,000; 1st of September $50,000; 1st of December $50,000. The amount of the original contract was $158, 59040; additions ordered by the Master Armorer,
Mr. Salmon Adams, by letter of November 21, 1860, $1,174.50; subsequent contract for supplying set of barrel rolling and welding machinery, &c., $14,600--total amount of contract, $172,364.90. Sub-contracts have been made with other parties, and approved by the
Commissioners of the
State of Virginia, for the supply of machinery, to the extent of about $75,176; and good progress has been made towards the execution of the work undertaken by them.
Most of the machines for the machine shops of the armory are ready for erection as soon as the building is ready to receive them — and that is nearly the case.
Immediately on the conclusion of the contract for the barrel rolling and welding machinery, an order was sent to
England for a portion of the work, so special in its character as to render this curse necessary, and the cost of which portion will be about $3,000. The rest of this work will be executed in the Tredegar works, and put in hand as soon as the necessary particulars can be obtained from
England.
It is expected that this machinery will be completed contemporaneously with those included in the original contract.
Orders have also been sent to
England for a supply of the various descriptions of steel necessary for the preparation of the tools, gauges, &c., &c., to be fabricated in the Tredegar works; on the receipt of which, the mannufacture of these tools, &c., will be vigorously proceeded with.
In the mean time, the plans and drawings of them are being prepared.
Such was the state of the work at the last official hearing, on the 11th of February, and we believe satisfactory progress has been made since that date.
