The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-01-28


Your .,sst sentence is jewel" a monar.
chy Of justice, an sristocracy of wisdom, and
a democracy: Of freedom"
AS Incvor knew your person nor heard
yosr name, till read it in your letter, hone
you will excuse tho freedom Of your obccient
servant, "a JOHN ADAMS.
Mr.. WIN. KErrLErAs, New-York.
-sa - xsOOe~~As ~ ss--
The following article, with a few alterations,
is eolla,ed from the NJ Y. Colunibmn.
CONGREvE ROCKETS, I,
These tremendous engines Of destruction,
which were invented by British officer, from
whom they derive their name, were first US
ed with any considerable cticct by the Enrs
iish in the destruction of the neutral city of
Copenhagen. AS we are now at war with the
same power that first employed these terrible
missives In reducing 10 ashes the peaceful
capital OF an unelicndius power, we have llt-
tlo reason to expect that during lis continu-
snce our seaports will remain exempt from
similar visitation. SOME information as to
the nature and construction of these machnen
having been requested in the cpstcrn papers,
Col. DUANE, in the Aurora Of the 7th inst
with that superiority of military knowledge
which so pre-emirently distinguishes his pa
per, has given . full description of their
structure and operations n.---Our limits compel
us to abridgc his account. After explaining
the ordinary rocket used in festivities, and tho
Asiatc rocket employed in war, he gives
the composition OF rockets As follbwss
The composition Of rockets formerly was
lbs sulphur, lb. charcoal and 1 l-2 lbs,
nilre but the following proportlons are now
more GENERALLY adop,cd.-lsulphur ~ ounces,
nitre pounds ounces, charcoal (powdcredy
pounds; to produce stars upon their cxs
plosion, various substances arc mixed with
the combusible materials, a. grain powder
for the exposion, raw nitrc, antimony, steel
filings, brass flings ising glass, and the COM
position Is inoistcncd with spirits Of wine,
with compton, with turpcn,ine, with vinegar.
The barrels of rockets are filed; and the
substance driven la with mallcs the weight
Of which mus, be proportioncd to tie weight
of the rocket and the making Is even rcdu-
ced 10 such cxactncss d that the number Of
strokes for each size Is laid down. The sasc
Of a two pound rocket in its dimcnsions
should be as follows
Exterior diameter, 2inches $4,000
Interior li.2ipclirs.
Weigh. Of the sallet, pound.
Number Of strokes, 81.
The case is filled to 4 10, the length Of
the exterior diameter, aud fifth Of diameter
more with good clay.
The STATS Of rocketa, from 50 to So diam
c,ers Of the barrel in length.
Rockets Of and inches diameter we'll
made, will ascend 1870 yards, perpendicular
height; but the usual height 500 TO 500 yards,
which is performed in from to 10 seconds.
With this much Of rockets IN view, We
may more readily comprehend the nature and
intent Of the Congrcyc rockets.
In their principle Of construction they diRcr
in nothing from the Asiaiic rockets, but ia
their materials and scientific aid, in thoir con-
s,ruc,oh the barrels are made Of iron, and
they are, when thrown, like common rock
cts, attached 10 a Naff OF white ash, or oak
Their superiority consists in the chymicaI
purity Of the materials, and their due propor-
tion to each other and then in the powerfpl
means used TO compress the greatest possible
quantity into the smallest compass"
After detailing tho mode in which they are
charged, and advsr,ing to their use at Bou-
logne, in the conHagratiou OF Copenhagen,
and at Flushing. where they compelled tho
French General Bonnet to surrender,he giycs
the weight, composition, extreme range and
elevation Of the various descriptions Of Com
greve rockets
A 3s-pouna Congrcve rocket fired againsc
common earth, pcuctralcs ninc fectpt 1900
yards distance. They are Intimately superior
10 bombs and shells IF the ancient fashion,
and are, without question, the most terri6c
instrument of destruction which hes been dis
covered since the invention Of gnn-rowccr-
Should Boston he copenhagcnized, snd al its
elegant dwellings aud supesb public sdiHccs
oe Ieveled with the dust, it viii be dore by
their instrumcnuli,y. Should We not then
be constantly and assiduously employed Ire
STRENGTHENING our for,I6cations, and now
while the elements protect U.S. avail ourselves
Of the opportunity, to render our harbor i'm
pregnaolc - yoston Caroniele.
-----~nx>ne.,-~---
In the short space Of seven years, the Brit