Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-01-04
CONGRESS.


y I
MoNDAt, DEcEMBER 80, 1850.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. have receved letter from John Wise,
Of Lancaster, Penns enclosing memorial Of in-
eresng character which have been requested present.
and move its refere,ce 70 the proper commstse am mol
prepared % say precisely what COMMITTEES that would BE-
The memonas states that he has devoted sixteen yearu
Of bis life studiousy the science Of aeronans that daring
that period be has made about hundred aerial voyages
successfully and With safety He states ase that be has
written work uFon this science, in which ho has given
history oft and al account Of the deveopments Of s pnc
pes which has ben received with great favor by the scen
fc world He so states that be has demonstrated % his
satisfaction, and prepared to demodsate to the salts
faction Of the world bis power to make this scsnce useul
and practicable for Of mails and the
taion Of passengers d especially IN the art Of war, a. well
as in peace. Hsalssass that be prepared to COM
sruct balloon 100 e in diameter which shall have the
power Of eIevang 6on hs be prepared to elevate that
balloon the Capitol On Pedsnfs House, Or Navy Yard
or ny other point which may be designated the reach
Of and thea discharge imitation missiles Of de-
ucve quality, which would show his capacity destroy any
feet fort army which may be beneath it. He also pro-
poses when he shall have done that and shall have satisfied
both Houses Of Congress- and every body who will attend his
experiment that it is entirely practicable and within his
troll to take that balloon the city of st. Louis and make
voyage from thence to the city of York. At New York
he proposes take in six other passengers who have already
volunteered and life boat and proceed England where
he will report the British Government He expresses
tire confidence in his ability do this with perfect safety; and
furthermore, that he make quicker voyage around the
world with bis balloon than in any other way; that his ex-
perients have shown that certain elevation there
current of air from West East in which he sail with
perfect safety and with expedition and velocity than by
any other mode Of conveyance He desires the opportunity
Of testing this and Of satisfying the world Of the truth Of his
theory He says that he make these experiments from
St. Louis New York and from New York to Europe fol
the sum Of twenty thousand dollars He thinks that this will
enable him fully demonstrate the pactcabiy of this sci
ence and its applicability to the purposes to which he pro-
poses devote it, He audes the fact that we are making
oh af
nasmuch as he has devoted his life this business has made
50 MANY successful voyages has written book demonstrating
the pacticabiy Of this science, and only needs this small
pance carry his scientific discoveries into practical effect
he says we ought give him that amount to allow him to
make the trial. and enable him be the first that
sailed around the world in balloon.
present bis memorial he requests am assured that
he man of great intelligence and scientific atainments.
have the honor Of knowing him. but these are the
reservations made by citizens of that State whom
know to be that entirely capable of judging of his
qualifications in this respect hardly know to which COM
miee ought to its reference am satisfied that it
does fairly within the jurisdiction of the Committee
on Territories The chairman of the Committee Public
Lands insists that is within the jurisdiction Of his
mee. am inclined to think that as it is evidently rival
project to one referred to the Committee Roads and Ca
nas-Mr Whneys railroad-t ought to go to that COM
mttee that its objects may be considered have read this
petition with much interest 1t is written with good deal
Of ability have looked into his book, though have not
had opportunity Of reading it. and the impressions which
have formed of it favorable He has drawings OF all his
machinery and the different modes of conveyance got
great expense and with great elegance and have really
been very favoaby impressed with the memorialist and his
memorial move its reference to the Committee Roads
and Canals.
Mr.. RRfGHT do ncs wis., as member or as chair.
man Of that committee, avoid any responsibility but !
seems to me that the prayer of this petitioner goes far beyond
the jurisdiction of the Committee Roads and Canals
is proper for say that do not favor visionary projects
Of this kind. think is the province of committee
Lob ads and terra
to navigating the air. the prayer does not find friend IN me
think the Committee Foreign Relations, if may be
permitted to suggest would be appropriate laughter
for the duties of the committee lead them to the consideration
of the affairs of foreign clmes hope the gentleman will
change his reference.
MI DOUGLAS. I do not know any mpropriety in the
reference and will therefore that be referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations
Mr.. MANGUM. Mr.. President, as the chairman of that
committee present. feel it to be my duty to remark
that we are very little learned in matters of this kind but
believe the honorable Senator from illinois has recently
been made member of that committee-
The PRESIDENT The Senator was excused from ser
vice on that committee at his request.
Mr.. MANGUM. Then protest against its going to tha
committee but the honorable Senator from Illinois ha
indicated high degree of scientific attainment IN these mat
ters to the edcaon and amusement OF the Senate thnE
it should 20 to select committee, and that he should bt
placed at the head of it.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. think this subject should be treated
SERIOUSLY The memoriais is undoubtedly gentleman o.
high character anu OF sclentnc attanment anu npo h
memorial will 90 to one of the regular committees. wal
transmitted by naval gentleman, who suggested tina
il should be referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs
move that it be referred to that committee.
The motion was agreed to.
RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC.
Mr.. GWIN. Mr.. President, hold in my hand resolu
tons passed by the Legislature of California, in relation
the national railroad from the Pacific to the Mississippi
river which PROPOSE in accordance with instructions, to
sent to the Senate.
1t may be proper for to explain the Of the delay
in presenting these resolutions The Legislature OF Call
fonia passed but two sets of resolutions with instructions
her Senators present them the Senate these hold
my hand and those by at the last session in
aon donations of the public lands to officers who served
in the Mexican My colleague to have presented
the resolutions have but presume from the great press
of business that accumulated after took seats
this body the subject escaped bis memory Duty well as
inclination induce bring them before the Senate, which
would have left to my colleague but for his unavoidable de-
| tenton from his seat
move the reference of these resolutions to the Committee
ON Roads and Canals II will be perceived that the Legsa
,ure of California preliminary to any action by Congress-
recommend "the organization OF efficient engineer corps
routes which have been recommended to public notice al
practicable for the line OF said road"
In this recommendation fully concur, believing that If il
be important in short roads, is still more ndispensaby neces
in regard the longest road ever proposed to be made
that the proper route should first be ascetaned by practical
and scientific engineers We know that the buffalo and
other wild animals march passes in the mountains where
the elevation is many hundred eet TO the mile, "ncn "ouo
be wholly impracticable for railroads
The limit of ascent which be overcome by railroads
has been asceand to hundred and twenty feet TO the
mile and this is Objectionable grade out ounaoes
and other wild animals as well rider on horseback IN
cuding the Indian rappe have often passed over helsat'