The republic., 1851-06-16
OFFICE OF THE WASHINGTON GAS
LIGHT COMPANY,

JusE IL; 1851.
ATA MEETING OF THE BOARD OF Di-
N RECTORS held this day. il was deemed ex-
pedient, in view of any missPprehension existing
in the public mind to make the following Official
statement:
To meet the largely increasing demand for H.
Illuminating Gas, and TO furnish light of equal
brilliancy and power at greatly reduced rate Of
cost, the company have entered into a contract
with the wellknown and Responsible hrm ot Bat
tin, DUNCAN Co, of Philadelphia, Tor the erection
of entire new works, additional "a the present. for
the production of very supcriorsIas from btu
| rRn0us coal; which Gas, when the new works are
| completed, in January next, VIII be conveyed
with meter and twenty live feet OF service pipe
from the main by the contractors, and at their ex
pense and afforded 10 the consumer at the low rate
of s. per thousand feet. Street mains are TO be
laid OF ample dimensions and skiful workman
ship, in every portion of the city where demand
for Gas exists In short, object and desire is
erect works crediable TO the city; to place this
whole business the most satisiactory basis; and,
by carrying the light To the greatest possible num-
ber make the interest Of all to use 1t, because II
will be cheaper than any other light; and we shall
thus confer public benefit, and best subserve the
interests OF the company.
| For a site for such works lo,o position near
water communication is Indispensable; and some
time since six lots, in square Z, extending from
Maine to Maryland avenues, were purchased, and
the works have been commenced As prelu-
dices known to exist against gas factories, from
the objections experienced IN manufacturing from
oil rosin, and grease, the directors are happy to
assure the public, and TO demonstrate the FACT by
| indisputable testimony, that none can be reason
ably entertained against the works now In pro-
| gress If the company commit any nuisance 1t
can and must be abatcd; and yet they stake on the
result, in this square, an expenditure OF one
hundred thousand dollars. The process ia euch,
indeed that it is hardly possible that any nuisance
should be engendered. The Gas ia made from the
best bituminous coal, and passes from the retorts,
without exposure, through the cooling and wash
ing processes, into purifying boxes OF lime, and
becomes entirely inodorous, and so pure that 1t Is
incapable of soiling the most delicate white sur
| face Nor is there any other substance, simple or
compound, used within or around the premises,
| productive Of disagreeable odors. The high CHIN
j ney ESQ feet) in the OF erection near the
centre of the square around which the furnaces are
to be built, is for draft not to carry of smoke, ex-
cept during the very few minutes required in sup
plying the rctorts with coal for, with this incon-
siderable exception, there ia ly no smoke about
| the works. When the gas ia evolved from the coal
in the retorts the coal is deprived of its bitumen,
| sulphur, and other extraneous or volatile matter,
and the residuum is bon, coke, which in turn
| supplies the only fuel used in the furnaces.
| Certainly no nuisance need be created by works
of this description; nor has complaint been urged
against any of the factories built by these expe-
rienced and successful contractors in the cities o
Hartford, New Haven, Rochester, Albany, Syra-
| cuse, Newark, Patterson, Reading, and Charleston
as proved by the strongest testimony, and by the
rapid rise Of property in the immediate vicinity
| those works, IN eusrY instance. From the mass o
evidence before them the board have selected fol-
publication but three, To prove how unfounded arr
the apprehensions of persons who fear an injury
will be done to the health and comfort OF the neigh
borhood, and n decrease effected IN the value
'pryate property in the vicinity. The first is from
DR.. Porcher Of Charleston, South QGolina-a gen.
teman entirely disipterested and OF high standing
the second from n responsible and well-iniornet
gentleman of New Haven, writing to the Hartford
Daily CoWanf; and the last from Professor Sill
man, perhaps the mos: scientific authority In thu
| Union.
"My residence is nert door to The Gas Works, ane
| have experienced, as yet (the works had been IL
operation two years. no annoyance from Its prox
unity, either from the smell Of the gas, or from any
noise made during the night in conducting thei
operations. At the same time, can state that
owing to the great care used in lifting up the pipe
in the houses, and testing their ightness by mean
of hydraulic PRESSURE no escape OF gas takes plac
and great success of these works reflect credit OF
the skill and assiduous attention OF Messrs Battil
s. DUNCAN. F. Y. P0RCHER.
"CHARLEsros, January Q, 1850"
al see by your papers that Gas Company ha
been at last organized at Hartford, and that Messrs
DUNCAN, Battin s. Co. are to erect the works Gu
people all delighted with the result OF their ex
pertinent here. The company had some consid
cradle difficulty in obtaining site for their works
on the ground that the manu- featuring mould prou
q nuisance to the neighborhood tohers it should be- 10
cated. Ho,c tceH founded this uas, may be judge
from the fact that land oPposIis @he 1or6s Dhich oe
fore their erection offered for ten dollars from
foot, is noio held at fifteen, sc.
"NEw HAVEN, Connecticut
''The Gas Works at New Haven have now beer
in successful operation for over year, and fee
authorized-from my intimate knowledge OF all th
details of their construction, which from the frs
outlines Of charter to this time have been per
fectly familiar to me- and may add, gratitied-t
affirm my great satisfaction both in the success 0
our experiment, and in the skill, fidelity, and eff
cient zeal of the contractors, Messrs Battin, Dun
gan Co. Is. SiLLiMAN, JR
Il is the intention of the company and the con
tractors to erect model Gas Works here. 80 perfec
in the internal arrangements, inviting to the exte
rior view, and appropriate in every particular t.
accomplish the objects desired, as to be an orna
ment and a benefit, rather than nuisance and al
injury, to our prosperous city. In this laudabl'
cndcavor time or money will be spared, and VIZ
confidently ask the encouragement OF all who arr
interested in the Improvement Of the metropolis IL
our effort to furnish every person who may desire
it cheap. brilliant, nodorous, and unfaing light
thus benefiting all and injuring none.
BY order of the Board of Directors
June l6-3t j. +. BROWN, Secretary.
OFFICE OF ARMY CLOTHING AND EoUIPAGE,
PHILApBLrHIA, May 26, 1851
CEALED PROPOSALS WILL BE RE-
- ceived at this office, until 10 O'Clock m, o