The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-03-19
Important from washington.


Atlantic in May
Important from Washington.
We refer our readers TO the correspondence from
Washington, describing the present extraordinary
position OF the government on the Oregon question,
and the critical relations now existing between
England and the United States We must say,
judging from the information which we have re-
ceived and through the signs of the times them
selves that we are in critical position, and our
prospects ST any negotiation with England terminal
ing IN compromise, appear to be farther from us
than ever In that event, the chances are that the
new war party, who claim the whole of Oregon,
will increase their strength, and lead to those re-
suits and contingencies which we have frequently
predicted.
Asmatters now stand, it is very possible that no
thing can be done in Congress- and that we COM
mence from this time forward series OF excite
ments and agtations throughout the Union, that
possibly will spread throughout the Woodworking
ultimately in war; War is not Immediately menac-
ed; but events may grow out of present movements
which may terminate in the same consequences
Look TO Congressman to England-for in Wash
ington will be decided peace or war
OCEAN STEAM MISUNDERSTANDING Pro-
PELLERs-The records in the patent office in WASH
iDgton, prove.tha the known ingenuity and inven-
tive faculties Of the American people have been
more busily employed tor few years back than
ever before. Among the many inventions record
ed there, none are so likely to be beneficial as
what are termed the submerged propellers, or ma
chimes for the propulsion of boats which are under
water. Several Of these inventions have been filed,
and several OF them are now IN use in different
parts OF the country
II we do not mistake, there are now seven in
ventors OF this of propelling vessels all Of
whom are in the field, each claiming his own TO be
superior to all Others and all agreeing in condemn
ing the old fashioned side paddle wheels. The
Oldest of these Lopers, Hunters Ericcson's and
Smiths-an of whose plans have been experiment.
ed upon more or less. Smiths invention is what
Is termed the Archimedian screw, and forms the
mode OF propulsion OF the monster steamer Great
Britain. The Others are invented by Mr. Park.
hurst and Mr. Lamb, and bid fair to rival the others
in importance and usefulness. From the results
that have attended the experiments made with these
new inventions, ii is the general opinion that the
submerged principle Of propulsion will eventually
supersede the old method. Its advantages, applied
10 vessels of war, now that steam has been drawn
upon auxiliary in naval warfare, would I'M
doubtedly be OF the highest importance
There is a great diversity of opinion on the
merits and dement's OF these several inventions,
and It Is impossible for an impartial opro-
nounce judgment upon them. Each has its de-
tenders, and controversy has lately sprung up,
which has served only to mystfy the thing, and
make 1t doubtful whether any OF them is what its
owner represents it to be.
This matter its infancy yet; but il is reasona-
BILE to suppose that long, it will have been so i'm
that mill L.
been predicted by naval officers whose Judgment in
such matters is entitled to acknowledgements
the old fashioned paddle wheels in vessels OF wal.
The weight Of the paddles and machinery belonging
to them, that would be required 10 propel vessel
large as the Great Western, would be about one
hundred tons; while the whole average weight of
the propellers now invented, does not exceed thirty
tons, or Whereabouts Here, then, is saving in the
first start of about seventy tons, which could be APP
piled to the reception of cargo, coal, or anything
else. Another great consideration is that applied
to vessels of war; the apparatus would be safe from
the reach OF an enemy's shot. This is most i'm
portant benefit, and at once recommends the fullest
trial of the submerged propeller
We do not see how the merits and advantages of
each of these several inventions can be discovered
withoutactual experiment; and it is subject finn
portance to the government, more than 1t is to indi-
vduals, we think it incumbent upon its members to
have each Of them tried, and its advantages de-
veloped the utmost, in order that the truth may
be arrived at and the virtues, II any they possess,
over the side wheels adopted into our naval system
The government has already made some trials, but
the results acquired did not justify the adoption of
those they experimental upon But there are others
entitled to be tested in the same way for if one, or
two, three, did not answer the expectations form
ed of them, that is why the others should
be condemned Indeed, we think our citizens are
entitled this from the government for if the SUBJ
merged principle OF propelling vessels has any of
the advantages claimed for it, the sooner they were
made public the better.
We hope that the President will see the force Of
this, and have further experiments made.
Book TRADE SALK.-The forty-thlrd semi-annual
New York book trade sale commences in this city
on Monday next, at the auction room OF Bangs,
Richards Il Plat, No. 204 Broadway These sa les
are held in the months of March and August, and
booksellers from all parts of the country assemble
here for the purpose Of making their purchases.
Publishers in different cities send in their new
publications of all kinds, in quantities not less than
four copies of work in quarto, ten copies of work
In octave, and twenty OF work in duodecmo.
The terms of sale are, On all purchases to the
amount Of three hundred dollars out OF one invoice,
credit Of six months; and on purchases of the
amount of one hundred dollars, a credit OF four
months and all under those, cash.
In looking over the catalogue, we see works of
all descriptions, from the most abstruse metaphysi
cal work, to the latest and ghtest fashionable no.
vel, from the principal publishers in New York,
Philadelphia, Boston, Hartford, New Haven, Ro-
chaofoy Auhuyn and Ralfimora We ehoud ind e
that about one one-third of the books were from
and Baltimore, ene-third from New
York, and the remainder from the New England |
States The sale will be very interesting one, and
we shall give it further notice as it progresses.