The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-01-15

diRIA7, NANIGATIoN.-In the u. S. Sen.
ate, on Monday, Mr.. Douglas presented n
memorial from John Wise, the nronaut.
Mr.. ID. said
The memorialist states that he has deyo.
ted sixteen years of his life s~tudiously 10 the
science Of nronautics, that during that ncriod
he has made about one hundred aerial vow.
ages successfully and with safety. He
states also hat he has written n work upon
this science, in which he has given Il history
OF it and an account ofthc developments OF
its principles, which has hcen received with
great favor by the scientific world. lie also
states that he has demonstrated to his own
satisfaction, his power TO make this science
useful and practicable for the transmission of
passengers, ard especially in the art Of war
ms well rs in peace. He also states that he
Is prepared now to construct n bnlloon 100
feet in diameter, which shall have the power
OF elcvatlng lG tons; that he is prepared to
elevate that balloon over the Capitol, or
Presidents House, or Navy Yard. or any
other point which may be designated above
the reach OF gun shot, and then TO discharge
imitation missiles Of 4 destructive quality.
which would show his capacity TO destroy
any fleet, fort, orarmy which may be beneath,
IT. lie also proposes when he shall have
done that, and shall have satisfied both
Houses Of Congress, and every BODY who
shall attend his experiment, that il is en-.
tirciy practicable and within his control, to
take that balloon TO the city of ST. Louis.
and make a voyage from thence TO the CITY
Of Ncw-York. AT Ncw-York he proposcs
to take in six other passengers who have
already volunteered, and u lifc-boat. and
proceed TO England, where he will report 10
the British Government. lie expresses en-.
tire confidence in his ability to do this will,
perfect safety: and furthermore, that he can
make n quicker voyage around the world
with his balloon than in any other way; thu,
his experiments have shown that at n certain
elevation there is Il current Of air from West
to East, in which he can sail with perfect
safety, and with more expedition and ~vcloc:-
ty than by any other mode Of CONVEYANCE
Tic desires the opportunity of testing this.
and OF satisfying the world Of the truth of
his theory. He says he can make these
experiments from ST. Louis TO New York
and from N. York 10 Eiropc for the sum of
twenty thousand dollars. lie thinks that
this will enable him to fully demonstrate the
practlcability Of this science, and its app!ica-
bility to the purposes TO which he proposes
To devote it. He nlludes TO the TACT that
we are making very large appropriations for
objects of much less utility, and %inasmucl
rs he has devoted his life 10 this business,
has made so many successful voyages, has
written n book demonstrating the practical
biiily of this science. and only needs this
small P%iltancc to carry his scientific discov-
cries into practical effect, he says we ought
to give him that amount to allow him to
make the trial, and enable him to be the frs,
man that ever sailed around the world in n
balloon.
u The memorial was rcfcrrcd 10 the Com.
#&shAtco on Naval Affairs.
SSsss%S ENLARGE VEGgTABLEs.--A vast
si2S s food may be obtained by man
1E-s-Z4-ELaH Ia.IelIt all