Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-04-23
ATMOSPHERIC TELEGRAPH.

FROM THE BOSTON DAILY ADvrrlrIsER OF SATURDAY.
We had an opportunity yeste rday Of examining Mr.. l.
RICHARDSON'S ingenious 10 sention called the Atmos
pherc Telegraph" BY which letters and parcels be
transported consideraon Instances with almost incredible
velocity rendering prs ctcay nearly equal in speed to
the Magnetic Telegspl which il is obvious it has
many advantages n other respect.
The apparatus Consists of tube connecting the places
between which Communication is to be maintained, in
which sort Sf piston called the punger is fitted with
loose leser packing The matter to be sent is enclos
ed In beg attached behind this plunger Its propulsion
is secured by the pressure Of the atmosphere Of ordna
ry density behind it. that in front being rarhed by means
Of air pump producing partial vacuum. This pro-
telling power is great to produce apparently in
atananeous motion Of the plunger with its load from
end to the other Of the model tube exhibition which
is about thirty feet long and and half inches in
diameter indeed the punger issues forth with much
force when not confined to knock down violently
heavy billet Of wood placed opposite the end Of the tube
IL is left open The speed is estimated at about one
thousand miles in hour The apparatus is so arrang
ed that there be intermediate stations upon the line
at which the progress Of the punger be arrested or
If preferred Il pass directly through to the terminus
The mechanical difficulties to the plan which readily
suggest themselves have been ingenousy and apparent
" efectualy obviated by Mr. Richardson. The incon
venence Of the sudden shock occaoned by the arrival
Of the punger at the end Of its journey - avoded oy an
arrangement by which portion Of the air in 'front.' OF ~
is compressed and allowed 10 escape but gradually form
ing a sort Of cushion to ease the jolt The retardng
effect of the friction caused by the motion OF the large
column Of air which necessarily follows the punger in
the tube is prevented by the occasional recurrence Of
valves in the tube connecting with the atmosphere to be
opened by the punger IL passes The friction Of the
punger itself is reduced to very low point by the man
ner in which its packing is constructed.
We are informed that the apparatus has met with the
approval Of several gentlemen competent to form sound
opinion who have examined il.
The patent right for the machine is owned by the At
mospheric Telegraph Company, Of which Mr.. Richard
son is agent IL is proposed to open Tuesday next in
this city, the subscription books Of company under the
name OF the New York and Boston Atmospheric De.
spatch Company, TO construct line between this city
and New York. The tube Of this line, il is proposed
shall be two feet in diameter The cost Of laying il dowr
is estimated at 80 900 per mile. There will be supply
valves often as once in twenty-five miles, and interme
diate stations at suitable points for instance at Worces
ter Springfield, &c There will be airpumps Mt all thu
stations. Hourly mails may be made up and dispatched
part Of them at fixed hours stopping at the stations
and the others proceeding throughout direct IL ex
peced that letters and parcels from New York would
delivered in Boston in less than half an hour. com
pany able to carry mail matter ut this rate Of speed wou
be powerful competitors contractors for performn
the mail service II asufcent amount Of matter Is pre-
sened 1t Is claimed that the actual cost OF ransporano
is not more than half that Of any other method Whe
is twenty times fast The line need not be strMgn
be curved follow the face OIL the grouno
r or undere the channels Of rivers
IL will be observed that this invention bears some re
semblance to the Atmosphere Railway so much talke
Of at time but that II avoids the objectionable fea
of that scheme, the tube is closed throughout
We informed Mr. Richardson has had IN success
full operation line Of threeinoh tube mile In length