Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-09-20

which we have derived most Of our knowledge the
subject. would not however, have noticed Me. .
" ' eo",h"cs'o", ts"o"mg every ptAeues' Wv" En-
g'neer TO be possessed al much ton than
seifsome one OF whom, supposed. would in due time
dew ope the merits Of the plan1 but for
IN its endaion, and ia come xion k improve
ment, which hope will succeed aud not be spoiled by an
exploded plan was, perhaps by way OF making
things sppe.r cheap aud easy thought, however IL
was uli time to set on foot enquiry. which must
evaby blow up the tnrention. | expected the execrs
lions OF Mr. HI though, did suppose any other per-
son would volunteer his La this, was mistaken. Some
gentleman, whom assure you acquit Of all knowledge
OF The subject dispute except what he derives from
Nail Road Journs,-he first No. Of which me,
out Tor which, though paper oil merit, did not sub
scribe; allude To the gentleman, who tho
OF Friend TO the Interests Of Virginia" Now, ex.
euse him Tor believing reigously what he states that
Mr Williams clearly proves that he Is the original in.
venior OF this plan" because that is to be found in the
Roll Road Journal an sure he believes nv article
"hh6erai as long," and that "lynx eyed" because
neither the article part OF taken from the
RdH Road Journal: Aud no Doubt lac thinks it quite
vulgar to "slp en-mle bouts TO go to Old England
Gas he says trace out the origin Of en,ion
rowed tom that country, or 10 argue the merits of the
plan from any authority other than the Rail Road Jour
ndf-ihatbsig enough for him. This reminds OF ask
ing gentleman enc Monday morning, "Mr -, were
you at Church yesterday TO hear preachng'" "Nu" he
replied, al spent my iic in reading the dream book aud
Almost think us better than the Bible" So sha dis.
miss my friends Of the Rail Road Journal and Dream
Book. merely advising the Iorner to read the books
red TO In my hrs article, aud they 10 improve his
head, am quite sure they will soften his heart aud
su'ge his me unless he be like Omar. the Caph (who
burnt the library Of Alexandria, by the Koran. He may
mink, there he any thing ia these books 10, in the Rail
Road Journal is unworthy of credit and II there be
nothing but what is in that Journal it is not necessary
TO read them 50 that in either event. they
him.
Mr. Hartman says. conscien,iousy," that lie offered
hi. invention as entirely original but admits that Mr.
W. C." oil Hanover aud Mr. john s. Williams Of Ohio
preceded him III the idea aud that so tar as he il co.
cerned the idea was entirely orynal"l did dispute
from his character Of TRUTH but from the
manner In which he speaks Of the reference made the
Encyclopedias Britannica Wooden Rail Road Sc (works
Of merit with eIi.inormed mechanics civil engineers,
and gentenen) calling il my "Jonrney England, and
my EncyclopedacaI resesrches The taste that would
induce geneinan to speak thus Of works OF merit wouid
always prevent him from reading aud proftng irou The
oil so eoPioa'y developed in their ee
giant pages advise Mr. H., however throw aside his
| rcd to.
In July Mr. II. received letter from Mr Williams in
which the latter proves satisfactorily that he the
iormer in the invention Upon the receipt OF this news
Mt H. feels that Virginia is last her interests OH the
subject OF Internal improvement ani that we have 10
right 10 crpect any thing but depreciation tor haH cen
Jury Aud SO in his letter Of the 5h OF August last to
MIR. W. acknowledging that gen lcmans right the in.
venton, lie babs out the lost aud TtTOgradng condition
Of our happy State 10 the following laenable strain "
"fee assured that under many circumstances the plan
will he useful and have been using every effort 10
"inirouce il in this region oil country aud ater my
self that my efforts will be in part successful least
"uPon short piece Of road from village. But vir
rest in the shape Of Internal improvement, that
we have no right to expect any thing half o century
10 come-buta continued retrogr ading and
Mr. Williams in reply to this letter, in his Of the 23d
gust, asked Mr. H. TO accept general agency In this
State, aud says, make you, respects Virginia
equally interested with myself" Now, the prospects Of
Virginia begin 10 brighten; and Mr.. Fl. writes to Mr. w
"acceping his proposition" Now The spirit of improve
men, is abroad in land and now Mr. H. can trumpet
II ioth in The elegant strains OF dsngus President
Of the United States &c. the 7h instant IL his
communication referred to IN your paper OF the 18Th, In
speaking Of my former article he says have however
nothing say upon this subject than that have
not charity enough 10 believe the motive ia the publ
cation, was intended to further the spirit mt
abroad in the land, and that do not envy The fe
" ings which prompted it,"
/ Messrs. Editors, thosgh said to he "lynx most
"conscentously declare. that far as
the idea oil great change In the spirit condition
Virginia, since the 9th Of August last, seems en;sly
origna al never saw or heard word of it," "And I
apprehend these facts and generally unknown in
Virginia. they have been noticed in any conmuni.
! Cation" before his,
Mr.. III. thinks studied nisunde rsiani him. ia his
Statements hat the iimbers will not tcear ou and tina,
road made this plan, would be the cheapest and
best ever made. ccrsnly did not Disune tand him.
nor intend TO msrepresent The merits of the plan.
tempted TO shew that experiments had been made wood
rails in England from 1919 to 1867 (bou lIS year)
when iron was Introduced and which has since
with uncommon success and consequently, that The in
uenfton was not only not 0riginol but that the
fure of the Materials aud the plan OF using them,
peencc had proved that the exceeded The palue
the roads Ii did succeed, it was INV own FAULT,
/ apprehend, Messrs Editors would not have troubled
you further, had MIR. H. and his friend attempted me
argument by argument, instead Of their unprovoked
OF my motives had always supposed we IT least
enjoyed unbounded freedom of thong and speech over
the science OF mechanics: but these gentlemen
| "Do Pounce upon me,
/ WIN mighty talons aImd,
. AS do gum owls upon kissing goose"
Sept l6, 1888. TOM THUMB.