The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-04

Jas. oiilcLDo.
His Excelency WnrrnARsn B. SEAnHoon,
Governor OF South Carolina.
Important Invention In Railways and E"si"e.
We had the pleasure few days since Of examining
models of proposed improvements railways, and in the
construction of locomotives and cars. We have always
been fond of mechanics, and may without boasng pre-
tend have Knowledge o: the principles oil that
science Unless this petence is utterly unfounded, we
cannot but think that the improvements to which we
aude will stand the test of experiment. and answer the
purposes for which they intended If so, new and
most important period will have arrived in this age of
ron and steam.
FIRST railroad may be laid down the ordinary
undulaons OF the EARTH like turnpike road, and engines
and cars be constructed that they go with
safety. To accomplish this object the invention enables
the engineer by mechanical MEANS to supply any degree
of adhesion which may be required at any instant, and
to dispense with it the he to need it, And
TO do this there rack rails, cog-wheels, or
centre rail is there by this plan, much resistance
to the progress Of the train would be caused by add
ing weight to the engine in order to produce the requi-
site adhesion.
By this invention, It's made almost impossible matter
for the TO be thrown from the track 1t is therefore
valuable for it admits of light engines for light freghtsa
great desderaum certainly, for southern railroads.
tending through sparsely settled districts, while it does
not prohibit The of the most powerful engines, when
they are necessary.
The effective power OF engine now, is limited to the
adhesion OF its wheels By the plan proposed, the adhe-
sion is supplied by the engineer in any required quantity
and consequently the power of the engine is only limited
by its capacity generate and retain steam Hence is
dicult ia what grade may readily
And when remember that steam coaches weighing
only two three tons have conveyed at good speed
from twenty to thirty passengers over the common
and rough roads of England, readily ascending and
descending the seepest hills, we cannot think other
wise than that this invention will multiply in great
degree means of INSTRUMENTATION, and bind to-
ge,her closely extended confederacy; while the
saving in the expense of construction and in the wear
and tear of roads and machinery will be greatly reduced
The prolific mind of the gentleman who has made this
invention, (James S. French, esq OF Vrgnia has also
produced another of scarce less importance. 1t is of
brake perfectly simple in its construction, and perfectly
in its application, by which the engine and its train
of cars may be stopped almost instantly by the engineer
alone, The ables engineers have for long time en-
deavored effect this result moved and stimulated thereto
by the frequent and fatal collisions which have hap
pened on the best conducted roads But they have
yet succeeded for they have been unable to devise
any plan by which the engine and its cars could be
promptly arrested by the engineer alone.
The originator of the proposed method of accomplishing
this desired object is old friend and hope that his
inventions will stand the test of experiment. are
confident they will Many persons well acquainted with
and deeply interested in such matters have examined his
models and none, we believe, have done without ex-
pressing strong belief that friend has succeeded in
his important undertaking. We will watch the ex-
pertinent with great interest-not for the sake of the
public Alone but for the inventor for whom wish
all success. And it gives us pleasure 10 add, in
support of views OF the practicabily Of Mr.
French's improvements, that he has already sold a
part of his interest in them TO company of gentlemen
possessing capital and energy, and who determined
to make the necessary experiments being sangune OF
success Should their antcpaons be realized, Mr.. F
will have made two Of the most important discoveries OF
the day.
We have not attempted TO explain the means by which
such desirable results proposed to be accomplished,
it is proper that those who interested should choose
their own time and mode OF making them public.