Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-08-23

ATMOSPHERIC TELEGRAPH FOR TRANsPOs-
TING PACKAGEs-The Special Committee of the
United States Senate to whom was referred
the memorial of Ithiel s. Richardson, asking
for an appropriation to test the feasibility ofhis
proposed atmospheric telegraph, have recon-
mended compliance with the request, and re-
ported bill authOrising the construction of a
tube, under the supervision Of the Postmaster
General, on a direct line between Washington
and Baltimore. This, says the Baltimore
American, was the method pursued to ascer-
tain whether the Magnetic Telegraph invent
ed by Prof. Morse could be availed for the
various exigencies of business and social inter
course by persons widely separated. 1t was ap-
pretended that the force of the electric cur
rent would be spent, or that some unforeseen OBJ
stacie would prevent its transmission, beyond
4 very limited distance, till actual experiment
had resolved the doubt. And a similar success
is hoped for by the Committee in the present
case, to disspate the fears of those who predict
a less efficient operation through a longer line
of tube than that which is exhibited in the
model shown at the Capitol, which they de-
clare works admirably, and seems to have over
come all difficulties, and some which have long
been supposed insuperahle, in the practical OPP
Grafton of the atmospheric telegraph. This
mode is described in the report as follows
1t consists of horizontal tube of one inch
clear diameter, one half of which is straight
while the other half contains curves, designed
to represent the sinnostieS ofthe tube passing
over uneven ground. One small air pump
placed near its centre, and communicating with
either end oft, exhausts it at pleasure from
left to right, or from right to left. A piston or
plunger; three inches long, and fttiug the tube
loosely, but followed by several detached disks
or washers of leather, which accurately fit It. is
inserted in one end of the tube, separated BIZ
cutoff and few strokes of the pump produce
ii the tube partial vacuum. The cut of is
then reversed, and the plunger set free on the
side of the vacuum, relieved from the resistance
Of the air in the tube, and propelled alone by
the pressure Of the atmosphere, passes through
in time wholly unappreciable by ordinary
ueans.p
Mr.. Richardson refers to a still more prac;I-
cal test of the working and capacity Of his
S-t-- dpil; III tuDC 4lC ol4S' Va tht|N i'N+lCo
clear diameter, and following tie elevations
and depressions Of an ordinary ungraded field;
sud the certificates he produces show chat the
f4ile was traverSed by the piston or punger, to
which was attached a weight of several pounds
IN much less than a minute.
Il the tube be completely exhausted, the at
n.osoheric pressure being about fourteen and
ti-raa-quarter pounds to the same INCH, the PTS
tor should pass through the exhausted tube at
q speed equal to about six hundred and thirty
i've niles per hour, modified by its weight and
.t-,ion. But perfect vocum is not to be at
tanned in practice. 1t is asserted, however by
.a- committee, that such a degree of exhaustion
Is easily attainable, as viii secure a speed and
rower equivalent to the propulsion of fifty tons
tgo hundred miles per hour The mails which
low consume twelve hours in passing between
New York and Washington, may in the opinion
If the committee be carried between those
cities in two hours by the proposed atmosphere
ic telegraph and at cost so diminished, that
the Department might send six sets Of mails
where it now sends one, without increasing its
expenses.