The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-06

LANCASTER, Penn Dec. "a, 1880.
The following is a copy of the petition to Con-
erete, for oid to make an aerial voyage round the
world, which was presented to the u 5 Senate,
by Mr.. Douglass, on the 30th uit
To the Be nate and House Of Representatives of
The United States in Congress assombed:-rhe
petition OF the undersigned resp ctfuly she weth
That he is native and citizen Of the city OF Lam
caster, Pennsylvania, and that tor period of SIX
teen years he has devoted all his time, study and
labor, TO the art and science OF aeronautcs; that
during that time he has made nearly one hundred
aerial voyages, in different parts Of the United
States that he has repeatedly exploded his bacon
al an elevation OF two miles ia the air, and has
descended uninjured, protected by the atmosphere
alone.
That he is the author of a work upon the Histo-
ny aud Practice Of Aeronautics, the only complete
woik upon the subject exisnf, and OF which ano-
ther edition is abouio be published in this country,
and in England; and that the work has met with
the most ilatte mig notices IN The London Afhene
am, the London Despatch, the London Literary
Journal, the London Historic Record, and olher
established European journals, as well as in the
leading journals OF our own country.
That The result of these aerial voyages of the
Undersigned, as well as from a most ailigent
search intu the facts elected from the experience
Of others, have clearly demonstrated, that in our
lattudes, there e, In the elevated regions OF the
sir, perpetual current Of the atmosphere, from
the west toward the east; and that by means Off
an Eerial voyage round the globe, may be made, IN
d comparatively short period OF time.
That your petitioner would most respectfully re-
mind your honorable bodies hat all aerial voyages
heretofore have been the result OF private enter
prise. and al an outlay 81 a very small amount OF
moIey, end that lie IL well convinced that long
before the same amount at money, OF labor and OF
tsl,nt, which has b. en- devoted TO the art OF navi
eating the seas, shall have been beso wed upon its
sister art, Of navigating the air. " shall be brought
TO an inconceivab.e degree OF greater perfection
and use fulness, both IN peace and IN war
lie would further respectfully remind Congress
Of the puny vessels Of 80 and ITO tons burthen,
with which Columbus discovered the new world,
when compared with the monster leytaihan three
detksrs OF 1900 and 1000 tons, which pow move
with SUCH speed end safety over the mighty deep.
Sreat improve ments and discoveries will YET be
made al comparatively tniiDg expense, but they
are bel Dad his means, and herespectfuy but earn
esty calls for cossidersti and aid 10 his pro-
ject which he will speedily demonstrate 10 the peo-
pie of this country and 10 the world
He respectfully asks, that Congress may he
pleased 10 make an appropriation.of s2OOoD, 10 he
expended IN the city OF Warrington, under the az,
rection Of the Secretary OF War, the Secretary 81
the Navy, the President Of the Smithsonian lnstl-
tute, or the Superintt ndenl Of the Astronomical
Observatory.
With this sum he will construct a balloon OF
such mat, rial AZ will retain hydrogen gas Tor
weeks and months, a diameter Of 100 feet,
which will give II an elevatng power OF sixteen
tens. With this balloon he viii make numerous
srd repeated topical escensions from the city OF
Washington; end being properly secured 10 the
earh, will hover over the navy yard, arsenal, cap.
itol or Presidents house, or any other point ont OF
reach ~ shot or she'll and from thence discharge
imitation destructive explosive missiles, showing
his ability to destroy any fleet, fort, or army whcn
may be beneath him lie will demonstrate that
cay hostile feet which may anchor IN the waters
u The United States can thus be destroyed.
lie proposes further, to make numerous topical as
ctnsions 10 venfy his previous obseTyations as 10
the txistance of the aerial current, al all times
blowing from west 10 east After having satisfied
the CO immunity upon these points, OF which he -
already convinced h. will convey the balloon
to ST. Ltuis, Missouri, there ascend, and cross the
Allegheny mountains, end descend near the sea
ceast ~ The United States. Upon the demonsra-
ton "a these fssts, which he knows he can do, he
will mtke his ascen' ion from the CITY OF New York,
with ore a Francs's life. boats as car, supplied
with water provisions, and FIX or eight attendants
(haSirp volunteers already and will make an
atrial Vol eye across the Atlantic TO Europe, and
he trusts, should II please Providence TO cestow
uItn him health and life, 10 stand before you, IN
loUt halls. a living evidence OF having made the
htst aerial voyage round the globe.
The emouni 81 money asked Tor this great and
wonderful project IL SO small when the ends 10 be
sc,on,plt hsd are considered, and when compared
y i'm he in mtnse expenditures Of the government
for he navy /, the army. ard other purposeB. that
The letnt, rer humbly snd confidently ilatt ~ him
ttt hat ituby, and viii, meet vim favorable
O. TFJCttbuOut
W. t,relusicr. your petitioner vii ref'r with
ilc erd pcesvle, ID The fact, that Fu'on the Dc.