Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-11


steam carriages upon RAILROADS, he walked with us
a mile from town, exposed to the oppressive heat OF
a midday sun, where our curiosity was July graft
fed After waiting hour, we had the satisfaction
TO see twenty-five wagons, containing three tons
ofcoals each, mrclled, or rather drawn along ho-
rizontal railroad, by steam engine possessing
six horse power. Ii was a most novel and inter-
es,ing spectacle The steam carriage is placed IN
'front.' and the whole apparatus is not much larger
than an ordinary Jersey wagon To this the twenty
five four-wheeled appended 10y chains, and
! follow in obedience TO tire seli-movlng power
One man, whose services are required 10 regulate
the machinery, is the sole navigator, and even he
has little to DO. When the boiler is exhausted he
has only to throw the engine out OF gear, stop by
the read side, and pump in supply. lmpeiled ty
curiosity, we mounted one OF the cars and rode
sconsiderable distance The ordinary progress is
four miles the hour, but Of course may be greatly
accelerated il Unnecessary.
There several engines upon this railway,
which ply regularly between extensive coiiiefes
and the town, distance OF three or foui miles 1t
is odd enough to the smoke arising, like that o
ii steamboat, and the cars moving about at DIS
lance, with no visible agent TO move or goveA
them. The experiment has here been fairly and
successfully tried, and see no reason why trans
portation by steam is not pIact able upon land
as upon water The great desideratnm seems TO
have been guiding power and that is eifectually
provided by the construction o the railway, which
confines the carriage 10 given track. should
feel the degree OF security in one OF these
vehicles in steam boat, since the carriage is
. NJ distance from the boiler"
The following is copy of letter TO the Edi-
tors OF the Franklin Repository, printed in Brook
vilie Indiana, from the Hon. James Noble, oil the
Senate OF the United States, bearing date January
y, 1926.
The business, as it progresses in Congress, be-
'coines more important, and consequently excites
more interest.
On the subject of internal improve ment, in which
the nation has taken such deep interest, and the
power of Congress to construct roads and canals,
had considered il as fully settled, and that large
majority OF the citizens had long acqulesced, ac-
,knowedsed, and considered the power TO have
been rightly exercised.
The power has been exercised and carried into
effect under the administration of Messrs JEFF
ierson, Madison, Monroe, and acknowledged by
the present CHEF Magistrate, who recommends TO
Congress that roads and canals arc calculated TO
improve the condition OF those who are parties TO
the social compact, and facilitate the communica-
ton and intercourse between distant regions and
mutitudes OF men, as the most important means Of
improvement
In the year 1924, an act passed by Congress
authorizing the President of the United States 10
cause the necessary surveys, plans and estimates,
to be made, OF the of such roads and canals
as he may deem of national Importance, in COM
.mercial or military point of view, necessary for
the transportation of the public mail; designating,
in the OF each canal, what part may be made
capable OF sloor navigation; the surveys, plans and
estimates for each, when completed, 10 be laid be-
fore Congress. Thirty thousand dollars was APP
propiiated for the object, and TO enable the Presi-
dent TO carry the act into effect. Mr. Van Buren,
49, = r. I,g. i,.-o !,
resolutions in the Senate, the subject OF internal
improv ements and if the first should pass, farw ell
TO those inprov ements which have been so long
cherished, and Justly so, III the sentiment and by
The exertions OF the Western people. Let the
Western people still adhere 10 the doctrine that
! Congress does possess the power: for they have
; the precedents before them, to make roads and
canals; and let them press again and again for a
part OF the public money, for the purpose of accom-
Pitching such iaudable objects The result will be,
that those Improvements will in time, be cords
that will bind US all together in spite of foes within
/; or without. / send copy of the resolution re-
( feredto: " Resolved, That Congress does no,
possess the power 10 make roads and canals, within
| the respective States And it shall have my de-
cided disapprobation.
| PERKINS STEAM GIJN.-On publishing
I the account of this wonderful machine, the New
| York Post remarks" The success of our coun-
/ rynan Perkins, appears no longer to admit OF
doubt. Under the head of foreign news will be
| found an account OF experiment made by the
! inventor OF the Il INGENIOUS power of steam in an
engine Of his own manufacture. The greatest diff
| Guilty which Mr.. Perkins has commended with but
| has now overcome, was the formation of a genera
tor of sufficient strength. This obstruction obvia-
ted, there appears to be no longer any question as
| TO its complete success, and Mr.. Perkins in one
! point OF view, may be considered benefactor to
mankind An end must he put to siegcs OF
towns; for what possibility is there OF approaching
! place defended by machine which would de-
stroy every thing within its reach in a moment?--
Zoo cumbrous for transportation with an army, as
means of attack, and too powerful for resistance
it must remain forever perfect security from in.
yasion. Should the invention prove applicable to
The propulsion of vessels, navigation on the ocean
will also undergo entire change in word, the
utmost stretch oil speculation as 10 the application
Of this power, can hardly be considered extraya-
CANT
| from The London TimesI
MIR. PERKINS STEAM GUM The
neghbcrhood OF Mr.. Perkins safety steam engine
mandatory near the Regents Park, was Oh Tues
day thrown into great CONSERVATION by some ire
mendous reports, arising from the discharge of bis
steam gun. Since fatal accident, which occur
red several months ago, where lady threw her
! self iIom gig, in consequence, as it was at the
time incorrectly supposed, of her horse having
taken fright at the prodigious noise made by the
steam gun, that terrific engine of destruction had
! not been permitted to be discharged by the indi-
viduss belonging TO Mr.. Perkins concern On
| Tuesday morning, however, soon after O'Clock.
patrols were observed stationed on all the roads
leading towards the mandatory, accompanied by
men with placards on boards, warning all passen-
gers on horseback or in carriages to go through
I a.