Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-05-31
STEAM cARnIAGEs ON coMMoN ROADS.

tentlOn, and the most p0wertut interests are ex'
cited at this moment for and against. We have
read with much pleasure pamphlet on steam
carriages by Mr.. Quincy, the object OF which
series of facts which directly or indirectly bear
on all points of controversy, so that they may be
enabled to form more decided and correct judy
meuts on its merits He complains, and with
some reason, that the subject has been unfairly
preIudiced in public estimation by interested re-
ports; and that gross misstatements have given
rise to false impressions, which have been hasti-
ly acted on, to the serious injury OF the best in
terests Of society. The facts are forcible in
and simply stated, without comment:
altogether they make out strong case and sat
show the subject 10 b. one of just impor
lance to the country; and that some extraordi-
nary proceedings Influenced in proportion to its
weight, have taken place, with avicw OF imped-
inc it. The Courier was the first Journal which
anticipated favorable termination to Mr.. Cur.
ney's experiments when they were trst publicly
noticed; and our opinions of its political and
other effects have uniformly been the same
We state this much. for with these feelings we
have read the pamphlet, and confess 1t has made a
powerful impression on our minds. It's, in fact,
a PLAIN appeal to common sense, without any at.
tempt to influence the judgm BY argument or
private opinion. The circumstances are so truly
natural in themselves that they impress strongly
on the reader the truth of the most important
bearing of the question. After stating the Oh.
ect Of its publication the pamphlet commences
with short historical sketch Of the leading ex-
periments made with view to mechanically pro-
polling carriages on common roads. 1t appears
that the first experiments were not made with
steam. Mr.. Quincy says
In nv public Lectures on the Elements Of
Chymical Science, in 1922, stated, that Ele
mentary power was capable of being applied to
propel carriages along common roads with great
political advantage, and that the floating know.
ledge Of the day placed the object within our
reach; my views on this subject were not admit
ted, as have previously stated, nv practicalen.
gineers and among scientific men, with the excep-
ton Of the late DR.. Wollaston, my opinion had
not single supporter.
"Slr Humphrey Davy published, about this
time, some singular notions respecting the me-
chanical application Of compressed carbonic
acid gas, as substitute for steam. With the
view Of satisfying myself. and showing the true
bearing Of this proposition in the institution with
which was connected, | made an extensive Sc
ries OF experiments on this gas. under the various
circumstances Of heat. pressure, electricity, and
chynnca affinity. With the same views also
experimental on all gases that are said to be
elastic. Some of the results OBJ
tanned from these gases we're exceedingly curl.
nus, and was induced. in consequence, to ex-
tend the inquiry TO other gaseous bodies OF dill
ferent properties: which were also highly inter
esting From these, however, ] could nat ar.
rive al data sufficiently satisfactory to enable me
to estimate their comparative value in affecting
mechanical power, because ! was less able to
manage them; for some, like the murlatic acid
gas, offered difficulties Of chemical nature con-
nected with my apparatus, which soon compell-
ed me to desist; whilst others offered various o.
stacles in working, which compelled me also to
abandon the attempt, from want OF time.
'.Anmonical gas, however, was more mana
geabe. This gas, like steam, being absorbabe
in water, under reduced temperature and pres
sure, and being given out again with consldera-
Bile force by heat, offered properties available for
a motive power, capable of being worked with
the ordinary apparatus of the steam engine, or,
at least, without requiring much alteration in
the mechanical arrangement. NV experiments
with this, and some other absorbabIe gases. were
carried to considerable extent, the results Of
which were highly important. both in a chemi-
cal and mechanical point of view; but as they
are only indirectly connected with the present
subject, shall proceed at once to state, that the
apparatus constructed for the purpose Of work.
ing these bodies was. in May. 1925. made the
basis Of steam engine, with which my first ex-
periments were made, connected with propelling
carriages on common roads,"
1t now goes on to detail the experiments
which were made with the steam engine, and
the effects observed in its action under various
circumstances, which show the geadual progress
Of the invention. Mr.. Quincy is evidently we'll
acquainted with first principles; we meet with
the following observations in explanation Of the
effect Of hills on locomotive engines, which are
altogether new and peculiarly interesting. The
position is somewhat startling vet true:-
''lst. The amount Of extra power necessary
to draw certain weight up hill is given by
the inclination, and is the same whether it be
on rail road Or common road, or whether it be
carried on horses back, or dragged on wheels,
or on a sledge. This increment is occasoned by
graduation alone.
''2d. The force Of traction necessary to pro-
pei ton weight on level railroad is about slbs.
4 hot 70 IN ha