The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-15
Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON. March 8. 1883.


icith, &c.
On Monday the members Of the Virginia Legisla
ture, by n eca invitation Of Captain Ericsson, visit
ed the caloricsAip, which lay four miles from th'
landing Of Aqua creek, upwards of sixty miles be
low Warrington. w. M
The concentrated wisdom" Of the Old Donin
ion came frcm Washington in srocis, train OF cars
and were conveyed TO the caorc ship in the steame
Washington built by Thomas Collyer, Of New York
II was beyond three o'clock In the afternoon wher
the Ericsson was reached. Long continued cheering
greeted the marine stranger, which was answered
hy discharges OF cannon. We saw among the many
happy faces that of Captain McGinn, the wellknowr
and much respected pilot.
All hands on board, they were invited into the ga
loon, where rich and plentiful supply ofgood thing,
was displayed to the hungry guests. 1t is needles.
to remark that both the solids and liquids were fully
tested, amid the popping Of corks and the loud
laughter of the jubilsnts.
Senator Campbell was SO delighted, that he invited
the Lieutenant Governor Of Virginia, Mr. Leake, ia
return thanks for the hospitality and kindness ex-
tended to them, which Mr.. Leake did, in behalf Of
the Old Commonwealth, and in conclusion said
1T would not become me, gentlemen, to attempt to
expatiate on subject Of this kind but you will re-
member that in 1904, '05, or 'O6, Robert Fulton
made q trial trip from New York to Albany, on the
Hudson, and, as appears by publication in an old
magazine prided himself on four miles an hour. We
have the highest and the best authority that this
noble and magnificent ship ran into the Chesapeake
at the rate of seven miles an hour the greater part
against wind and tide propose, therefore, SEN
tment-
Mt N and Reha E,t
CINE and the steam engine As four seven does the
former excel the latter
This toast was drank with the creates. enthusiasm
short time afterwards the company visited the
machinery, and it evident they were all delight
cd as well as astounded by the admirable WORKING
operations, and some availed themselves OF ride
up and DOWN on the pistons. To them it was lion
perfectly harmless while steam might be Ekened to
the lately captured monarch Of the forest, always
the crouch spring upon his victims, OF which we
have daily SO many mournful illustrations. The
beautiful finish Of every part OF the ship and the ad
mirablc arrangements generally, were the theme, Of
high enccmum.
The machinery examined the invited guests re-
turned to the saloon. The cloth had been removed
and The table was ornamented with bottles OF cham.
payne and decaDters OF a stronger article, with a
view, PROBABLY, of gratifying city well try
taste-or gin and whskey are not strangers 20 the
rural districts Of the Old Dominion
AS your correspondent belongs to the fanatical
class OF water drinkers, he could very clearly
that some Of the guests began to break necks' be-
fore the invitations were given for attack. Corks
now began to pop, and merriment increased, and
everybody was happy. We could not discriminate
first families;'' they all appeared to be on an
equality alike the representatives OF Common
wealth whose characteristic is Not extreme modesty
but which is, nevertheless, glorious old State rich
IN mineral and agricultural resources and only re-
qIirng the Northern spur Of enterprise and practical
Iepublcanism to place her in the front rank OF pros
pcrity.
Captain Ericsson, during the afternoon, produced
his model and fully explained the principle aud
the practical working OF his calorc engine, and
answered many questions with regard to it in so
plain and simple manner to make its modps opc-
randi understood by every one. The fact that this
is the only ship that can carry coal enough to cir
cumnavleate the globe opened not a few eyes and
ears to the importance CT the invention and, con-
sideripg that no accident, no explosion can occur,
the machine, in humane pout Of view, is beyond
all price As to the commercial advantages, mer-
chants perfectly well understand this, and therefore,
no prolonged account OF this branch of the subject
need be given. But lie showed how much beaeft
Virginia might derive from it, When the great
lines of railroads shall be Completed, terminating
ct the good port OF Norfolk, means will be ne
cessary to transport the Western produce across
the ccean-lor this purpose, what plan 80
economical as tie caloric engine? The great
Tense in steamers is the coal aud the hand
ling OF it, sixty men being required for each of them
while but fourteen in this is sufficient. Those from
New Yoik are swift, but cannot live without the aid
OF government pap. IL this vessel a single fireman
at tine slfccs: in ocean steamers heavy gangs Of
men are required. lie viewed this machine Us har-
nonizlg with the great internal improvements
which Virs mia is making. Only build new lines Of
calorc vessels to connect this with foreign countries
and Virginia, with her immense agricultural and
est State in the Union. After expatiating at length
upon all the advantages Of the invention, he spoke
in the highest terms of John B. Kitching, young
merchant Of New York, whose sagacity, porse-
yerancc, aud remarkable foresight, enabled him to
demonstrate practically what only eleven months
ago existed On paper. Mr. Kitching was met by the
whole mercantile community with sneers but he did
not mind these. He stood firmly by him, aud under
took to furnish the means for the construction Of the
vessel and machinery. His name viii 30 down to
posterty in connection with this invention. Captain
Ericsson was frequently applaL ded, and in conclu
SIGN he proposed the health OF Mr.. Aitching, which
drank enthusiastically; and tlen ut the instance
OF the gallant captain, three cheers were given for
the same gentleman. II was an exciting time all
round. And three cheers were likewise given for
Capt Ericsson.
Lieut. Gov. Leake gave !" Tbs health Of Captain
Lowber, the gentlemanly commander of the Erics-
CON-
Loud applause succeeded, and there were cries for
Capt Lowber.
cd TO say, next to my friend Mr.. Kitching owe to
Capt Lowber debt Of gratitude. But for his pa
thence and good sense the enterprise would not have
been carried out Capt. Lowber has been the butt
LctWcen ne uHu the pupHc. lLaupnter.) whenever
he met with sailors he was told be was fool for
having anything 10 do with the cir humbug. Ola,
ha! ha y But he stood by me through thick aud
thin and you see The result Tremendous pplause)
Capt. Lowber then said-I ths.ax you for your
hind sentiment, and ret,rr you my best thanks
Talking Is not my trade, exactly (aughter) but
place me on ship Ia gale Of wind, and shall feel
more at home than on this occasion. daughter and
applause" Hurrah for Capt. Lowber.'D
Capt. Ericsson-On a caloTic ship especially.
Capt. Lowber-1f had not little caloric in me
] shouldn't speak. (Ha Ia haD 1t is the cha.
racterstic Of sailor never to finch; and therefore
have only discharged the duty imposed upon tue.
am proud to on board and welcome the reprcsen-
ta,ives Of the State OF Virginia (Appausc and cries
Of /" the Old Dominion forever.) trust you have
seen some thing of mechanical skill which ought to
instruct ou. and trust that American statesmen
will net lind it unworthy Of their attention. Gentle
men, thank you for the honor which you have done
Inc.
Glasses were emptied and huzzahs succeeded
MIR. Leake proposed the health Of the President OF
the Richmond, fredericksburg, and Potomac Gail