Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-09

Pa Thompson, Of Iowa. TuoK,* Wentworth WIZ
MOTT Winthrop,* Wood.*-42
"OUR RAILROADS."
The Enquirer gives the following synopsis of an nte-
resting communication recently transmitted to the &C.
neral Assembly by Governor Floyd, relative to i'm
provements in railroad and locomotive engines:
The immediate subject of his paper is recent inven-
ton OF James s. French Of Old Point by which he pro-
poses to ascend much higher ncnations than the great
est now overcome, and likewise prevent the cars by
any ordinary accident from being thrown off the track
The Governor examines the subject of railroads at some
length and with considerable scientific skill He con-
tends that the failure OF railroads realize the anci
patons OF their projectors investment for CAPT.
tal is owing, not to any inherent defect in the railway
system, but chiefly to the increased weight which has
been gwen to the locomotive since its first introduction
From little over tons in 1929 he says, the weight
has now reached in England near 40 tons, on many
Northern roads near 30 TONS and Southern roads Of
cheaper construction, engines OF from Is to 20 tons
weight are in daily use. The weight Of the motive
power he says is moreover the chief Of the rapid
destruction othe rails The steam power of the engine
COY f. argues, may be made increase directly as the
weight; Its adhesion as now used, cannot-and hence
under certain circumstances with any amount of weight
simple pound OF adhesion cannot be confidently count
ed upon The great question then whether the weight
OF the present locomotive can be safely reduced and the
nor clearly thinks so.
This is, presume, the great object of Mr. Frenchs
invention The Governor does not describe it-but we
learn that the plan is to attach underwheel to the
driving wheel, which when on an inclined plane can
by spring, be made to bite the rail beneath and thus
produce the desired adhesion. Some such ingenious
conrvance the Governor says, would produce most
| important revolution in the railway SYSTEM it would
enable the locomotive to run over grades not now at
1emped-ead to the substitution of much lighter en-
gnes 1or the heavy ones now used and thus diminish
the rst cost OF roads and machinery, we'll as their
| subsequent expenses.
To test this new and untried invention, most i'm
portant one, it successful, Gov. Floyd recommends as
an act opubic policy and expectancy that 'authority
ana means be granted to the Board Public Works to
construct railroad upon the plan of Mr. French
to connect the Depots of the Fredericksburg railroad
and the Petersburg railroad upon consideration that if
the the former company shall be-
cost Otcourse Che says this proposition is based upon
the assumption that the City Council of Richmond en-
lghened and liberal as it is, will nerpose no obstacle
that authority be given the Board Of Public Works to
make such experiments as they may deem best 1t is
proper to remark that Mr.. French furnishes a model
engine, thought sufficient for all practical purposes of
experiment.
DEBT OF ALABAMA.-A part of the debt Of the State
OF Alabama will fall due the present year, and another
portion two years hen The eariestof these bonds
are dated the first OF April, $780, and payable in twenty
years. or at any time thereafter that the State of Ala
| bama may choose The other bonds due in 1850 and
1859, provide TOR their renewal or extension to any
H.
formty with these spuatons the Legislature of Alaba
ma has passed an act deerng the payment for twenty
years OF all bonds falling due prior to and include 1852
Due notice will be given hereafter of the time when and
the place where the present bonds may be exchanged
New MODE OF MAKING IRoN-Dr. Wall, OF Lon
don has discovered and patented process for manufc
turing steel and iron through the agency of electricity
which promises to cheaper immensely the cost of their
production, and at the time improve the quality of
the metal 1t has been tested said at several ofthe
leading iron furnaces OF Maryland and Virginia. with
the most satisfactory results.
New JERSEY IRoN.-The ore of iron, called Frank
Unite, is found abundantly in Sussex county New Ter
sey, and is said that the metal produced from if If
superior quality requiring much greater force to sever
bar OF it than the best Swedish IRON Besides its az
traofdnary tenacty, is quite maeable even in cast
ings and from these qualities, it is thought it will be
sought after Tor water and gas pipes in preference to
other qualities.
DisroRBANcEN ST LoUIs.--Leahy, the lecturer, who
says he was Monk of La Trappe announced lee.
lure IN 81 Louis on the ed ult, but he was prevented
from delivering 1t by mob that assembled around the
ouiiong. Inc crowd afterwards went to his hotel but
as heay did not make his appearance they dispersed
HE GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA ON THE Mrxrc.N
IERRIToRY.-Governor Collier, of Alabama in bio
inaugural address, thus expresses his views in reoard n
slavery in the Mexican territories
But 1t the people of the States which NAV ba f,rd
OF TINS territory Mexican shall elect to exclude slave
~, we shall most cheertuly acquesce and extend to
them the right hand of fellowship All we ast "
gress not to interfere and attempt to decide for L
in advance. 'A' 'o ''ehl
We are authorized by Many Democrats, 70 o.,
nounce Col. SAMUEL D. McDRARMoN candidate r.
represent Appomaox, in the next Legislature of Vr.
gina.
HENRY II. FLOOD, Esq, the present delegate. is also
candidate tor reelection. -Lynchburg Republican
LEWIS CoUNTy.-JoHN LoRENrz, ESQ. is nronosod
as candidate in the Weston Sentinel to ranressot
Lewis, Braxton and Glmer, in the next House ot Ia
legates.
A CANDIDATE.-Mr. ISAAC SHINN announced him.
self a candidate for the Legislature at the January
court and thinks he can be elected with fair field an
open fight and the Democratic side OF the track excu
sively! Thereby hangs a tale - Iarksbwg Repubh |
can.
STocK SEcURED.-We learn from a reliable source. !
thatthe whole stock of 100 shares, at $4,000 each
projected at the Convention at Greensboro has been
taken--the requisite number of persons having come |
forward to the rescue. "Alls well = VII Com. Feb T.
RELEASE OF THE TELEGRAPH CurrER-The St. John |
Wv, po ~ Morning News, OF Jan. 23d, says: In
quence OF the law being detective for the punishment of
of asa cutters the court ordered the discharge
os yae1 1naerson alter his aragnment Saturday
which made the act felony whereas there was no spe
tb Sw to warrant the charge We then
.is , hie I'LL az e mercy OF every who chooses
Times. O0Sfo"
Mr.. BopIsco-The Washington correspondent, Of
he New York Courier SEnquirer writes
"The rumor OF Mr.. Bodiscos recall, which has bean
extensively circulated by the employed agents ofnu
crested parties, and by Swiss mercenaries who have
purposes 10 RrduIy,l unOunded NJ