Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-06-07
Perhaps the greatest source Of social annoyance

Perhaps the greatest source of social annoyance
and injury to American cities, is the complicated
evil of Fire, and its accompanying mischies Of dis
orderly FIRE companies, and the riots, disturbances,
and destruction Of life and property, too often
arising from the quarrels yof those very parties
whose avowed object is, by union, to arrest the
progress Of fire, and to save our property from its
ravages. It is most probably unknown to the large
majority Of our suffering citizens that an adequate
remedy exists against this daily growing evil---a
remedy SO simple that it may always be at hand,
and under the immediate control Of every house.
holder, and, when necessary to be resorted to, so
easy Of application that child may use it. Our
readers will remember some mention Of the iaven-
ton in late letter Of our London correspondent.
Since then we have received from friend in Eng
land pamphlet containing description of the
invention, and numerous testimonials Of its eff
cheney in Immediately extnguishing the raost rag
ing flames. The appsratas,is nearly as portable as
afre bucket; the article used (anti-combusve gas)
perfectly innoxous to life or comfort, without in
jury to property, and at the time instantane-
oasly destructive to fame. These appear, upon
ample testimony, be literal facts; yet the Ameri
been favored with participation in the advantages
Of this great invention. The English patent is
vested in a regularly organized company, with
manufacturing establishments, doing extensive bust
ness, and sharing dividends. Their wonder-work-
ing, fre-subduing engines are rapidly distributing
to every part Of The British Empire. The Queen,
the greater number of the nobility, and many Of
the principal manufacturers have the machines in
their palaces, mansions, and establishments. The
Association for promoting Emigration to the Can
terbury settlement in New Zealand take the ma
chimes out in the vessels conveying emigrans. The
invention is strongly recommended by many princi-
pal officers in the Royal Navy and well-informed
commanders in the merchant service; and Lord
Brougham recently said that he hoped before long
no vessel would be allowed to put to sea without
having some Of these machines on board. The
Royal Commissioners for the Great Industrial Ex-
hibton have directed the introduction of them into
the Crystal Palace for the protection of the invaua
BILE articles collected at the Worlds Fair; and il we
may Judge from the tone Of all the leading journals,
and the expressions both public and private, of in
fuenal and intelligent individuals, few inventions
OF the present day have created greater sensation
in the European public. .
Companies are now forming, upon large scale, |
both in England and France, with view to protec
ton from fire, by the substitution of this new anti
lire agentfOr The old mode ofconquering that dan
gerous enemy. n<b n
If this invention be thus highly appreciated in
Europe where, owing to the nature Of the materials
used in building and stone-fre is compare
lively an unfrequent desolating scourge and where
'ne organzanon OF hre companies is very complete
and Efficient and their operations always ORDERLY,
how inestimable ought it TO be considered in the
United States, where, in many parts Of the country
our buildings are constructed Of highly combustibe
materials, and where in our cities in too many in.
Stances Ourire companies are any thing rather than
safeguard and protection. We are afraid that too
often the destruction and disorders Of the latter even
in pecuniary point Of view, occasion more loss
than the ravages Of fire ITSELF Altogether it must
De obvious chat fte and its accompanying evils are
more destructive Of property in our country than in
all the countries Of Europe combined, or in any
state or condition of society recorded in ancient or
modern history. The value of the new q Fire
Annihilator" in the United States must rank with
that OF the steamboat, the electric telegraph. the
cotton GIN and the railroad; and yet strange to say.
the English proprietors have not vet sought to en-
brace the United States in their field Of operations
To put our readers in possession Of one Of the
proofs Of the great power and efficiency Of the i'm
vention, we copy the annexed letter, addressed bv
w. Bates, Jr., the Manager Of the Imperial
Patent Wadding Company, Manchester, 10 Mr..
Phillips, the Patentee and Superintendent of the
Fire Annihiator Company:
4t ZiRl srREKr M1iLs, MircHssrxR, aje
.g .,..e., .stsstsa f APnIr 2, 1851.
Sra. We have much pleasure in adding our testimony 70
Che great value Of your nvention&he Fire Annhils.or
Owing to the great heat required in the manufacture Of our
goods and the consequent liability Of the material to ignite
the Insurance Offices kue always refused 10 insure our pre-
Now however, oensder ourselves perfectly safe fo 10 id
dion your sppartss have both and con-
yeysd in pipes TO Al parts Of the bulldog but eoadcr