Mr. Hay to Mr. Rockhill.
(Mr. Hay states that the materials principally employed in the manufacture of arms and ammunition are reported by the War Department to be as follows:
Brass, copper, tin, niter, lead, charcoal, guncotton, sulphur, alcohol, nitroglycerine, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, picric acid, mercuric fulminate, raw cotton; steel tubes and hoops, forged and oil tempered.
Mr. Hay adds that the prohibition of several of the materials mentioned would, unless destined for arms and ammunition factory, be impossible. The object would seem to be the prevention of the setting up of plants. The exclusion of gun and cartridge machinery would be necessary, but this inhibition is not regarded by the United States as important.)